Foreigners Visiting US Without Visa May Face Social Media Check

Proposed Changes to Travel Requirements for Visa Waiver Program Participants

The U.S. government is considering new requirements for travelers from select countries who are part of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). These individuals, who currently do not need a visa to enter the United States for tourism or business purposes, may soon be required to provide detailed information about their social media activity, email accounts, and family history before being allowed to travel.

The proposal was published in the Federal Register on Wednesday and outlines that the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency is seeking to collect five years’ worth of social media information from these travelers. This move aligns with broader efforts by the Trump administration to enhance security measures for international visitors.

Travelers from more than three dozen countries participate in the VWP and submit their information through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). Unlike those applying for a visa, they typically do not have to attend an interview at an embassy or consulate. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) oversees the program, which allows citizens of roughly 40 mostly European and Asian countries to visit the U.S. for up to three months without a visa.

Under the proposed changes, travelers would also be asked to provide a list of telephone numbers used over the past five years and email addresses used over the last decade. Additionally, metadata from electronically submitted photos and extensive details about family members, including birthplaces and phone numbers, would be required.

Currently, the ESTA application asks for a limited set of questions, such as parents’ names and a current email address. However, the new rules would significantly expand the scope of information requested.

At a White House event, President Donald Trump was asked whether he was concerned the measure might affect tourism to the U.S. He responded that safety and security were the top priorities. “We want safety, we want security, we want to make sure we’re not letting the wrong people come into our country,” he said.

The public will have 60 days to comment on the proposed changes before they take effect. However, CBP officials have not yet responded to questions about the new rules.

The announcement did not specify what the administration is looking for in social media accounts or why it is requesting more information. However, the agency stated that the policy complies with an executive order signed by Trump in January, which called for increased screening of incoming travelers to prevent potential national security threats.

Travelers from countries not part of the VWP system are already required to submit social media information. This policy has been in place since the first Trump administration and remained during the Biden administration. However, citizens from VWP countries were previously not required to do so.

Since January, the Trump administration has intensified checks on immigrants and travelers, both those seeking entry into the U.S. and those already residing in the country. Visa rules have been tightened, requiring applicants to set all social media accounts to public so they can be more easily scrutinized for potentially harmful content.

Refusing to make an account public could result in visa denial, according to guidelines from the State Department. Furthermore, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services now considers whether an applicant for benefits, such as a green card, has “endorsed, promoted, supported, or otherwise espoused” anti-American, terrorist, or antisemitic views.

The increased focus on social media screening has raised concerns among immigration and free speech advocates. They worry about what the administration is looking for and whether these measures could target individuals who criticize the government, potentially infringing on free speech rights.