It turns out Trump’s magnificent plans might not be making America so great.
Goodbye to free tourism in the US: $250 per person entry fee to the country
‘The Free World,’ it turns out, has a price. Despite the constant messaging from the media, a cultish press team pushing out more sewage waste than an English canal (Google it), and Trump himself, the man who wants to become King of the United States isn’t making the country as great as he says he is.
And that’s even taking into account the names he is giving to his policies; in some sort of 2k25 Pinterest-era craze, DJT is trying to ‘manifest’ his way into making things ‘beautiful’ for, well, himself.
What is true, to be fair to Donald, is that his bill is ‘one thing’: terrible — it’s worse than that, but this is a family website — for the working people of the United States. In spite of the smoke and mirrors, the idea behind it is simple: tax cuts for the rich, paid for by you.
Billionaires have seen huge tax savings come into effect, with the money they would have paid now being taken from across-the-board cuts to public services that the ordinary, hard-working American rely upon every day.
If you think I’m not being serious: Medicaid, education grants, food assistance, housing, environmental protections, SNAP, Amtrak, highway repair funds, childcare subsidies, veterans’ services, policing budgets, rural hospitals, and nationwide fire departments have all had their budgets slashed so that Trump can give his billionaire friends tax cuts. There are plenty more, but I’ve got to go home at some point.
Another way Trump is acting out his tax haven fantasy is by putting off tourists with new visa fees. Many travellers to the U.S. now have to fork out for a new $250 “visa integrity fee.” It’s plain to see: this is how Trump wants America to supplement the tax cuts.
The fee corresponds to nonimmigrant visas, such as foreign students attending American universities or workers who receive temporary work visas. While this may sound like a small percentage, do not be fooled: official data from the government shows that more than 10 million nonimmigrant visas were issued in 2023 alone.
Related stories
The new bill also includes additional charges for people wanting to enter the U.S., including a $100 fee for asylum applicants. CBS did the maths on incoming students: “Student visa applicants already must pay a $185 application fee and a $350 fee for the Student and Exchange Visitor Program. The additional $250 fee will bring their total cost to $785.”
Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.
Complete your personal details to comment