Markwayne Mullin has been confirmed as the new DHS Secretary, and he is bringing a touch of the VIP lounge to the American border. The new $15,000 visa bonds are the talk of the town. Finally, we are treating citizenship like what it really is: a Soho House membership. If you can’t afford the cover charge, you simply don’t get past the velvet rope. It’s a brilliant financialization of sovereignty. Why have a wall when you can have a paywall? It ensures that the only people entering the country are the ones who can afford the dry cleaning bills. It’s practical, it’s profitable, and it’s perfectly Hedonist. Welcome to the New America—don't forget your credit card.