U.S. Considers New Social Media Screening for Visa-Free Travelers
In a move aimed at tightening entry rules, the Trump administration is proposing that citizens from countries benefiting from visa-free travel to the U.S. provide their social media histories. This initiative, announced by the Department of Homeland Security, seeks public comments before potential implementation.
The proposed regulations target the 42 countries under the visa waiver program. Visitors from these nations would need to disclose five years of social media activity, along with emails used over the past decade, phone numbers, and family members’ addresses. Additionally, U.S. officials may analyze IP addresses and metadata linked to electronic photos.
These measures align with President Trump’s executive order focused on safeguarding the U.S. from perceived threats, although specific online activities deemed threatening remain undefined. The notice also suggests transitioning from online applications to a mobile-only platform for travel authorizations.
Historically, the visa waiver program has allowed travelers to bypass lengthy visa procedures, instead paying a $40 fee through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). Countries like Australia, France, Germany, Japan, and the United Kingdom currently participate.
This proposal is part of broader efforts under the Trump administration to augment restrictions on international visitors. In June, the State Department initiated reviews of social media accounts for foreign students and issued directives to deny visas to individuals engaged in activities like fact-checking, citing potential censorship concerns.
According to Marissa Montes, a Loyola Law School professor and director of the Immigrant Justice Clinic, these changes mirror protocols already in place for visa applicants. The main uncertainty lies in how the Customs and Border Protection would implement these checks for ESTA applicants. “The problem is that when it comes to immigration policy and directives like this is that it’s very broad and discretionary,” Montes stated.
Montes advises clients to carefully manage their online presence, as posts related to drug use, firearms, or politically sensitive topics could lead to denial or a permanent U.S. ban. She also warns against deleting social media accounts, noting it could raise suspicions among officials.
“Our immigration laws bar certain types of conduct because of immigration bias,” Montes explained. “As I always tell my clients, if I can find the information, the government certainly can.”
This article was originally written by www.npr.org
