URGENT UPDATE: Foreign travelers eligible for visa-free entry into the United States may soon face significant new requirements. As of Wednesday, October 25, 2023, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced plans to mandate that travelers submit up to five years of social media history and extensive family details prior to travel approval.
This proposed change, published in the Federal Register, affects citizens from over 40 countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program, a system allowing short-term visits for tourism or business without a visa. The announcement comes as part of an ongoing effort by the Trump administration to enhance monitoring of international travelers and prevent potential national security threats.
The new protocols would require travelers to disclose not only social media accounts but also email addresses from the past ten years, phone numbers used over the last five years, and metadata from electronically submitted photographs. Additionally, applicants must provide comprehensive information regarding their family members, including birthplaces and contact numbers.
Currently, participating travelers only need to fill out a limited application through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). The proposed changes present a substantial shift in the information required for those entering the U.S. without a visa.
The public now has 60 days to voice their opinions on these proposed changes before they could take effect. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials have not yet responded to inquiries regarding the specifics of this enhanced screening process or what particular content they are scrutinizing on social media platforms.
This initiative stems from an executive order signed by President Trump in January 2023, which directed increased scrutiny of travelers entering the country. Under existing policies, non-visa waiver travelers must already share their social media information, and this requirement was maintained during President Biden’s administration.
Concerns have been raised by civil liberties advocates regarding the implications of such stringent measures, fearing they may infringe on free speech rights and disproportionately impact individuals critical of government policies. Under current guidelines, visa applicants are required to set their social media accounts to public, with failure to comply potentially resulting in visa denials.
As this policy develops, travelers from visa waiver countries should stay informed about these changes, which could significantly alter the landscape of international travel to the U.S.
Stay tuned for further updates as this situation unfolds.