Foreign Travelers to US Face New Social Media Screening Rules

URGENT UPDATE: Foreign travelers to the United States may soon face stringent new requirements, including the submission of social media information, email accounts, and extensive family history. This potential policy change, just announced by the Department of Homeland Security, targets individuals from over 40 countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program.

The proposed regulations, detailed in a notice published on Wednesday, October 25, 2023, in the Federal Register, would require travelers to provide five years of social media history before being granted travel authorization. This marks a significant escalation in monitoring international travelers, aligning with initiatives put in place during the Trump administration.

Currently, travelers from countries under the Visa Waiver Program can visit the U.S. for tourism or business for up to three months without a visa. However, the new rules would necessitate sharing a wealth of personal information, including phone numbers used over the past five years and details about family members such as their birthplaces and contact numbers.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has stated that this move is part of compliance with an executive order signed by former President Donald Trump in January, which emphasizes enhanced screening of individuals entering the U.S. The announcement has raised alarm among immigration advocates regarding privacy concerns and potential infringements on free speech.

The public has 60 days to comment on these proposed changes before they may take effect. As CBP officials have not provided details on what specific information they seek from social media accounts, the uncertainty has left many questioning the implications of this policy.

Currently, travelers from non-Visa Waiver countries already submit their social media information, a practice that has been in place since the first Trump administration. Advocates worry that expanding this requirement to Visa Waiver participants is an alarming precedent that could target critics of the administration.

The heightened scrutiny of social media poses profound implications for travelers, as U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services now assesses whether applicants for benefits, like green cards, have endorsed views deemed anti-American or extremist. Refusal to comply with social media sharing requirements could result in visa denials, raising serious concerns about civil liberties.

Stay tuned for further developments on this critical issue. The situation is evolving rapidly, and travelers should prepare for potential changes that could redefine entry protocols into the United States.