Timely Departure Act

This bill would require most people visiting the U.S. on temporary visas to pay a refundable bond between $5,000 and $50,000 to help ensure they leave on time. Some visitors would not have to pay, including people on certain specific visa types and citizens of countries in the Visa Waiver Program . If someone overstays past midnight (Pacific Time) on the day their approved stay ends, they would automatically lose the bond with no appeal. That money would go to a federal account to fund detention space and flights for people ordered removed. Overstayers would also be quickly removed and blocked from getting any legal immigration status for 4 to 12 years.

People on temporary visas who want to ask for asylum would have to file their application before their approved stay ends; if they miss that deadline and also overstay, they could not apply later. The Department of Homeland Security could issue only limited rules to run the bond system and could not waive these requirements. The changes would start 30 days after the bill becomes law.

Key points

• Who is affected: Most visitors on temporary visas; exceptions for certain visa categories and Visa Waiver Program travelers .
• What changes: Bond of $5,000–$50,000; automatic loss of bond for overstaying; fast removal; 4–12 year bar on legal status; deadline to file for asylum by the end of the approved stay; limited agency power to change rules .
• When: Takes effect 30 days after it becomes law.