Luisa Rosas-Hernández

It’s official. The U.S. just rolled out a new rule that could make visiting a lot more expensive—for some people.

On August 5, the U.S. State Department published a temporary rule in the Federal Register. It’s called the Visa Bond Pilot Program, and it’s raising eyebrows (and a few credit limits).

What’s This Bond All About?

Starting August 20, travelers from certain countries may need to pay a refundable bond of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000 USD to receive a tourist or business visa.

That’s right—before you even book a flight, you might be asked to front a five-figure security deposit.

According to the official document:

“Consular officers may require covered nonimmigrant visa applicants to post a bond of up to $15,000 as a condition of visa issuance, as determined by the consular officers.”

— Federal Register, 90 FR 37378, August 5, 2025

This decision is final. You can’t appeal. However, if you exit the U.S. within the allowed time, you’ll get the bond back in full.

Who Has to Pay?

For now, the U.S. has not released a list of specific countries. Still, the rule lays out three red flags:

• A high visa overstay rate
• Poor identity verification systems
• Citizenship-for-sale programs with no residency requirements

Because of that, media outlets are speculating that Haiti, Venezuela, Nigeria, Russia, and India are likely to be included.

Mexico is not on the list—at least not yet.

Why Baja Should Care

Even though Mexican nationals are not currently affected, the ripple effect across Baja is real.

First, many people living in Tijuana work in the U.S.—often without a legal visa or citizenship. If they ever lose their current documentation or try to re-enter legally, this new rule could shut the door.

Second, Baja is a gateway. Tourists from other countries often land in Tijuana or Mexicali before heading north. If they’re from a flagged country, they may cancel the trip altogether.

As a result, fewer visitors could mean fewer tacos ordered, fewer tours booked, and less money flowing through the local economy.

How Does It Work?

If you’re selected for the bond, you’ll pay through Pay.gov, a U.S. government platform. The funds are held in a Treasury account until your departure from the country.

Leave on time? You’ll get your full deposit back. Overstay your welcome? Say goodbye to your money.

Who’s Exempt?

Thankfully, not everyone has to pay. The rule includes automatic exemptions for:

• Diplomats
• Government-sponsored exchange students
• Travelers with humanitarian needs

Additionally, consular officers may waive the bond in special cases—but don’t count on it.

To Our American Readers

Let’s not forget: this rule makes your U.S. citizenship more valuable than ever.

While others may need to hand over thousands just to visit, you can still cross the border with ease—no bonds, no fees, no headaches.

At the same time, this rule could make Baja quieter. Tourists from some regions might avoid traveling here, knowing they won’t be able to cross into the U.S. from Tijuana or Mexicali.

Final Word From GGNorth

This visa bond isn’t just about money. It’s about access, trust, and the ever-growing wall of red tape.

Although Mexico isn’t affected—for now—cross-border communities like Baja could still take the hit.

So, if you’ve got a U.S. passport, enjoy the freedom it brings. For many others, that freedom now comes with a pretty steep price tag.

In a first for Baja California, the federal prosecutor’s office (FGR) in Tijuana hosted the state’s top security meeting—yes, that meeting, the one with the governor and all the big brass in uniform.

It was the kind of gathering where suits, medals, and serious numbers meet. But this time, the mood was more “look what we’ve done” than “look what’s wrong.”

And honestly? The numbers speak for themselves.

Between January 1 and July 26 of this year, law enforcement agencies across Baja California carried out 1,530 court-approved searches, also known as cateos. That’s a 31% jump compared to the same timeframe in 2024. Not bad for a state that’s often in the headlines for the wrong reasons.

According to the Baja FGR, the spike in activity is thanks to stronger coordination between state and federal authorities. Less finger-pointing, more teamwork. And some of that work is paying off big.

A Bust in Mexicali That Hits Hard

One of the standout victories came from Mexicali, where officers working at the Cinta de Verificación Aduanal (basically the customs conveyor belt) seized 144 kilos of methamphetamine. That’s not a typo. One hundred and forty-four kilos. That’s more than most folks weigh after a full taco tour.

There was no dramatic chase or gunfight. Just sharp-eyed customs officers doing their job. Sometimes the quiet wins are the most impressive.

Ensenada’s Cocaine Boat and a Not-So-Quiet Night

Then there’s Ensenada, where things got loud fast.

On July 28, reports of gunshots echoed near the iconic Mercado Negro. That’s not the kind of seafood special anyone wants. What followed was a coordinated response that led to the arrest of two suspects found transporting 307 kilos of cocaine aboard a small boat.

The federal report kept it simple, but local outlets like Hiptex confirmed that during the incident, a man was shot and killed, and another two people were injured. The drugs? Packed in colorful bricks, some even stamped with lucky sevens. Not subtle.

So while the market stayed open for business, the real action was happening just offshore—and it wasn’t about fresh tuna.

Aerial Sweeps Uproot More Than Weeds

Between June 11 and July 30, joint military and law enforcement flights covered a lot of ground. Literally. Their efforts led to the detection and destruction of 52 illegal drug plantations, covering a whopping 93,192 square meters.

To put that in perspective: that’s about 13 soccer fields’ worth of banned botanical ambition. No word yet on what was growing—probably not tomatoes—but let’s just say, Baja’s not exactly famous for its oregano exports.

Who Was in the Room?

This wasn’t your average PowerPoint-and-donuts meeting.

Present were the governor of Baja California, the state’s security secretary, the commander of the Second Naval Region, the commander of the Second Military Zone, and the state coordinator for the National Guard, along with representatives from every major law enforcement agency in Baja.

Everyone came armed with numbers—and not the scary kind. The kind that shows progress.

Security Wins Meet Trade Deadlines

Still, even as security ops ramp up, the U.S.–Mexico trade dynamic remains closely linked. On July 31, after a 45-minute phone call with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, former U.S. President Donald Trump announced a 90‑day extension before new tariffs would take effect, delaying the planned 30% import duty set to begin August 1. During that time, existing charges—including a 25% fentanyl tariff, a 25% fee on cars, and 50% tariffs on steel, aluminum, and copper—would remain in place  . As noted in our previous note, even strong security gains may not sway broader trade policy decisions.