The Trump administration is considering a new requirement for tourists from a number of countries to provide their social media handles before entering the United States. According to a proposal from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, a traveler’s social media history from the past five years would become a mandatory part of the screening process, as reported by The New York Times.
Currently, citizens from 42 countries—such as Australia, France, Germany, Japan, and the UK—can travel to the U.S. for up to 90 days without a visa. If this proposal is implemented, these visitors would need to include their social media accounts when applying through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).
This suggestion aligns with President Donald Trump’s ongoing efforts to tighten immigration policies. In March, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced its plan to review the social media accounts of individuals applying for green cards, U.S. citizenship, and those seeking asylum or refugee status. Additionally, the State Department began requiring visa applicants to make their social media accounts public in June. Trump’s focus on social media is not new; his previous administration had already started asking some visa applicants for their account information.
The CBP’s proposal also calls for travelers to provide more detailed information “when feasible,” which could include email addresses used over the past ten years, phone numbers from the last five years, extensive family member details, and even biometric data. Currently, visitors are required to submit an email address, phone number, home address, and emergency contact information.
The public will have 60 days to comment on this proposal.
