Foreign tourists planning to visit the United States may soon find themselves having to disclose their social media history for the past five years under a new proposal by the Trump administration. This requirement is part of a plan by the Customs and Border Protection agency, as detailed in a notice published in the Federal Register on December 10. The proposal suggests that visitors would need to provide “mandatory social media” information when applying for an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).
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Currently, under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), citizens or nationals from several countries including the UK, Australia, Japan, and South Korea can travel to the U.S. for short stays without obtaining a visa. However, even travelers under the VWP would be required to furnish their social media history when applying for an ESTA, as per the proposed changes. The aim is to add social media as a mandatory data element for ESTA applications, requiring applicants to provide information on their social media activities from the past five years.
Moreover, the proposal includes adding other personal details such as telephone numbers used in the last five years, email addresses used in the last ten years, and names of family members, among others, to the ESTA application where possible. Stakeholders, including the general public, have been given a 60-day window to provide feedback and comments on the proposed changes as outlined in the notice.
The move to scrutinize social media histories aligns with previous announcements by the State Department that visa applicants would need to adjust their social media privacy settings to ‘public’. Additionally, recent updates indicated a broader online presence review for certain visa categories such as H-1B applicants and their dependents, students, and exchange visitors. The H-1B visa program allows US employers to hire foreign workers in speciality occupations on a temporary basis.
This intensified focus on immigration policies comes in the wake of a tragic incident where two National Guard members were shot, leading to one fatality. The alleged shooter, identified as an Afghan national, prompted a halt in immigration requests from Afghanistan, along with a review of green cards issued to individuals from 19 countries. President Trump’s subsequent announcement of a pause in migration from “third world countries” has added to the scrutiny around immigration laws and processes.
In a separate development, reports emerged that USCIS officials interrupted the naturalization process for approved immigrants in Boston, attributable to restrictions imposed on nationals from certain countries since June. These actions signify a broader narrative of tightening immigration regulations and supervisory measures in the United States. This signals a trend towards increased scrutiny and surveillance of immigrants and visitors to the country.
As the proposal to require social media history disclosure progresses, it raises concerns about privacy, data security, and the implications for international visitors. The evolving landscape of US immigration policies underscores the complexities and challenges faced by individuals seeking to enter or stay in the country. The impact of these measures on tourism, business travel, and overall immigration patterns remains a subject of ongoing debate and scrutiny.