US Proposing to Require Review of five Years of Social Media for Foreign Tourists Entering the US

[Zincwarrior]

The Trump admin is proposing that foreign tourists planning to visit the US must provide five years of social media posts in advance before being permitted entry. If so the US would join such democracies as Russia and China. Thoughts USMB? I would submit that this will massively impact foreign tourism to the US. I know if that was required for our former trips to Europe I would have never even contemplated them.



Trump ramps up tourist checks with plans for mandatory social media inspections

Exclusive: ‘These barriers will hit UK travel to the USA hard’ says Julia Lo Bue-Said, chief executive of Advantage Travel Partnership

Trump ramps up tourist checks with mandatory social media inspection plans

Exclusive: ‘These barriers will hit UK travel to the USA hard’ says Julia Lo Bue-Said, chief executive of Advantage Travel Partnership

www.the-independent.com

Football fans heading for the 2026 World Cup, as well as other British travellers planning visits to the US, will soon have to provide details of their social media activity going back five years.

The demand is included in a new document from the Department of Homeland Security setting out how it plans to comply with Donald Trump’s demand that foreign visitors should be “vetted and screened to the maximum degree possible”.

At present, the application form for the electronic system for travel authorisation (Esta) invites prospective visitors to reveal their social media accounts, but this is not mandatory. The permit costs $40 (£30) and allows stays of up to 90 days within two years.

US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials have the option to inspect phones belonging to arriving travellers. According to reports, some tourists have been turned away for making unfavourable comments about Donald Trump and vice president JD Vance.

Soon an applicant’s social media activity could be screened in advance, with officials deciding whether or not to issue an Esta to the traveller.

In the document, to be published in the Federal Register on Wednesday 10 December, US Customs and Border Protection says: “CBP is adding social media as a mandatory data element for an Esta application.

“The data element will require Esta applicants to provide their social media from the last five years.”

Being granted an Esta will now depend on a successful screening of social media accounts (Getty/iStock)

Officials are seeking comments from organisations and individuals on the plan.

A leading travel industry figure has deplored the demand. Julia Lo Bue-Said, chief executive of the Advantage Travel Partnership, said: “These barriers will hit UK travel to the USA hard. History shows us that when a destination becomes harder to reach, British holidaymakers simply go elsewhere.

“Right now, US bookings are up 20 per cent across our membership, driven by events like the football World Cup, but new obstacles could quickly reverse that trend.”

Other proposals in the document include a plan to end applications via the Esta website – requiring all applicants to use the app instead.

The document says: “CBP believes that moving to a mobile-only approach for Esta submissions will both enhance security and improve efficiency.

“Poor-quality image uploads to the Esta website have resulted in applicants bypassing the facial comparison screening.

“CBP believes that travellers are aware of this vulnerability and have begun to exploit it by purposely uploading poor-quality images to avoid detection.

"Additionally, CBP continues to struggle with fraudulent third-party websites. Third-party fraudulent websites charge travellers exorbitant fees to process an application, where many of these applications may never be processed by CBP, resulting in a traveller being unable to board a US-bound plane.”

In addition, the authorities propose a new system to confirm that short-term visitors have left the country – should their departure not be reported through the normal channels such as airline data.

 

[Dont Taz Me Bro]

This is a gross violation of privacy. Aside from being an insult and slap in the face to our allies, foreign tourism has an economic impact of over half a trillion dollars annually. This will scare people off from wanting to come to the United States and it could also result in them reciprocating the policy on those of us who travel abroad to their countries.

Canadian tourism has already seen a steep decline this year since Trump ratcheted up his trade war with their country. Las Vegas, in particular, has felt the impact.

 

[Meister]

If it's true, I don't think it'll fly in the courts at any level.

 

[Anathema]

That sounds lovely to me. Let’s make sure the folks traveling here appreciate where they’re visiting rather than complaining about it. Great policy idea in my mind.

 

[martybegan]

This is a gross violation of privacy. Aside from being an insult and slap in the face to our allies, foreign tourism has an economic impact of over half a trillion dollars annually. This will scare people off from wanting to come to the United States and it could also result in them reciprocating the policy on those of us who travel abroad to their countries.

Canadian tourism has already seen a steep decline this year since Trump ratcheted up his trade war with their country. Las Vegas, in particular, has felt the impact.

This looks like and "ideas" document, not an actual policy implementation.

Also as the whole thing talks about pre-approval, it would apply only to countries that we require ahead of time Visas from, not time of travel visas, and people coming from those countries can probably use some additional vetting.

 

[shockedcanadian]

The Trump admin is proposing that foreign tourists planning to visit the US must provide five years of social media posts in advance before being permitted entry. If so the US would join such democracies as Russia and China. Thoughts USMB? I would submit that this will massively impact foreign tourism to the US. I know if that was required for our former trips to Europe I would have never even contemplated them.



Trump ramps up tourist checks with plans for mandatory social media inspections

Exclusive: ‘These barriers will hit UK travel to the USA hard’ says Julia Lo Bue-Said, chief executive of Advantage Travel Partnership

Trump ramps up tourist checks with mandatory social media inspection plans

Exclusive: ‘These barriers will hit UK travel to the USA hard’ says Julia Lo Bue-Said, chief executive of Advantage Travel Partnership

www.the-independent.com

Football fans heading for the 2026 World Cup, as well as other British travellers planning visits to the US, will soon have to provide details of their social media activity going back five years.

The demand is included in a new document from the Department of Homeland Security setting out how it plans to comply with Donald Trump’s demand that foreign visitors should be “vetted and screened to the maximum degree possible”.

At present, the application form for the electronic system for travel authorisation (Esta) invites prospective visitors to reveal their social media accounts, but this is not mandatory. The permit costs $40 (£30) and allows stays of up to 90 days within two years.

US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials have the option to inspect phones belonging to arriving travellers. According to reports, some tourists have been turned away for making unfavourable comments about Donald Trump and vice president JD Vance.

Soon an applicant’s social media activity could be screened in advance, with officials deciding whether or not to issue an Esta to the traveller.

In the document, to be published in the Federal Register on Wednesday 10 December, US Customs and Border Protection says: “CBP is adding social media as a mandatory data element for an Esta application.

“The data element will require Esta applicants to provide their social media from the last five years.”

Being granted an Esta will now depend on a successful screening of social media accounts (Getty/iStock)

Officials are seeking comments from organisations and individuals on the plan.

A leading travel industry figure has deplored the demand. Julia Lo Bue-Said, chief executive of the Advantage Travel Partnership, said: “These barriers will hit UK travel to the USA hard. History shows us that when a destination becomes harder to reach, British holidaymakers simply go elsewhere.

“Right now, US bookings are up 20 per cent across our membership, driven by events like the football World Cup, but new obstacles could quickly reverse that trend.”

Other proposals in the document include a plan to end applications via the Esta website – requiring all applicants to use the app instead.

The document says: “CBP believes that moving to a mobile-only approach for Esta submissions will both enhance security and improve efficiency.

“Poor-quality image uploads to the Esta website have resulted in applicants bypassing the facial comparison screening.

“CBP believes that travellers are aware of this vulnerability and have begun to exploit it by purposely uploading poor-quality images to avoid detection.

"Additionally, CBP continues to struggle with fraudulent third-party websites. Third-party fraudulent websites charge travellers exorbitant fees to process an application, where many of these applications may never be processed by CBP, resulting in a traveller being unable to board a US-bound plane.”

In addition, the authorities propose a new system to confirm that short-term visitors have left the country – should their departure not be reported through the normal channels such as airline data.

This is a decision that will greatly impact U.S tourism.

Tourism revenue is the best form of revenue as it is a pure shift of cash from one nation to another. Billions that would have been spent external to the U.S was earned externally but spent internally in the U.S. This is a huge boon.

People won't visit the U.S now due to this law, no question.

 

[Zincwarrior]

If it's true, I don't think it'll fly in the courts at any level.

I could understand something like this for a work visa or such. But tourists? People attending business or technical conferences?

 

[pknopp]

Trump proposes a lot of things. How did that audit of Ft Knox go?

 

[martybegan]

This is a decision that will greatly impact U.S tourism.

Tourism revenue is the best form of revenue as it is a pure shift of cash from one nation to another. Billions that would have been spent external to the U.S was earned externally but spent internally in the U.S. This is a huge boon.

People won't visit the U.S now due to this law, no question.

Not for countries where you don't need a Visa to enter.

Visa Waiver Program

 

[martybegan]

This is a decision that will greatly impact U.S tourism.

Tourism revenue is the best form of revenue as it is a pure shift of cash from one nation to another. Billions that would have been spent external to the U.S was earned externally but spent internally in the U.S. This is a huge boon.

People won't visit the U.S now due to this law, no question.

Well you are in luck, because most Canadians don't require a Visa.

 

[marvin martian]

The Trump admin is proposing that foreign tourists planning to visit the US must provide five years of social media posts in advance before being permitted entry. If so the US would join such democracies as Russia and China. Thoughts USMB? I would submit that this will massively impact foreign tourism to the US. I know if that was required for our former trips to Europe I would have never even contemplated them.



Trump ramps up tourist checks with plans for mandatory social media inspections

Exclusive: ‘These barriers will hit UK travel to the USA hard’ says Julia Lo Bue-Said, chief executive of Advantage Travel Partnership

Trump ramps up tourist checks with mandatory social media inspection plans

Exclusive: ‘These barriers will hit UK travel to the USA hard’ says Julia Lo Bue-Said, chief executive of Advantage Travel Partnership

www.the-independent.com

Football fans heading for the 2026 World Cup, as well as other British travellers planning visits to the US, will soon have to provide details of their social media activity going back five years.

The demand is included in a new document from the Department of Homeland Security setting out how it plans to comply with Donald Trump’s demand that foreign visitors should be “vetted and screened to the maximum degree possible”.

At present, the application form for the electronic system for travel authorisation (Esta) invites prospective visitors to reveal their social media accounts, but this is not mandatory. The permit costs $40 (£30) and allows stays of up to 90 days within two years.

US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials have the option to inspect phones belonging to arriving travellers. According to reports, some tourists have been turned away for making unfavourable comments about Donald Trump and vice president JD Vance.

Soon an applicant’s social media activity could be screened in advance, with officials deciding whether or not to issue an Esta to the traveller.

In the document, to be published in the Federal Register on Wednesday 10 December, US Customs and Border Protection says: “CBP is adding social media as a mandatory data element for an Esta application.

“The data element will require Esta applicants to provide their social media from the last five years.”

Being granted an Esta will now depend on a successful screening of social media accounts (Getty/iStock)

Officials are seeking comments from organisations and individuals on the plan.

A leading travel industry figure has deplored the demand. Julia Lo Bue-Said, chief executive of the Advantage Travel Partnership, said: “These barriers will hit UK travel to the USA hard. History shows us that when a destination becomes harder to reach, British holidaymakers simply go elsewhere.

“Right now, US bookings are up 20 per cent across our membership, driven by events like the football World Cup, but new obstacles could quickly reverse that trend.”

Other proposals in the document include a plan to end applications via the Esta website – requiring all applicants to use the app instead.

The document says: “CBP believes that moving to a mobile-only approach for Esta submissions will both enhance security and improve efficiency.

“Poor-quality image uploads to the Esta website have resulted in applicants bypassing the facial comparison screening.

“CBP believes that travellers are aware of this vulnerability and have begun to exploit it by purposely uploading poor-quality images to avoid detection.

"Additionally, CBP continues to struggle with fraudulent third-party websites. Third-party fraudulent websites charge travellers exorbitant fees to process an application, where many of these applications may never be processed by CBP, resulting in a traveller being unable to board a US-bound plane.”

In addition, the authorities propose a new system to confirm that short-term visitors have left the country – should their departure not be reported through the normal channels such as airline data.

Do you have a link to a legitimate news source? "The Independent" is a tabloid.

 

[Anathema]

This is a gross violation of privacy. Aside from being an insult and slap in the face to our allies, foreign tourism has an economic impact of over half a trillion dollars annually. This will scare people off from wanting to come to the United States and it could also result in them reciprocating the policy on those of us who travel abroad to their countries.

Good. It’s a means to keep People who don’t deserve the opportunity to visit this country at home where they belong. As for reciprocation… good, thst will keep AMERICANS where they belong… HERE IN THE UNITED STSTES.,

 

[pknopp]

Do you have a link to a legitimate news source? "The Independent" is a tabloid.

I still used a tabloid but........

Homeland Security moves toward scrutinizing foreign tourists' social media accounts before entry

U.S. Customs and Border Protection posted a proposal in the Federal Register indicating it plans to review foreign tourists' social media accounts before entry.

www.foxnews.com

 

[Zincwarrior]

Well you are in luck, because most Canadians don't require a Visa.

It includes countries like Canada and the UK that do not require visas to visit.

Tourists to US would have to reveal five years of social media activity under new Trump plan

Proposed plan would apply to tourists of all countries, including those not required to get a visa to visit the US

www.theguardian.com

Tourists to US would have to reveal five years of social media activity under new Trump plan​

Proposed plan would apply to tourists of all countries, including those not required to get a visa to visit the US

 

[martybegan]

It includes countries like Canada and the UK that do not require visas to visit.

If the review involves Visa applicants, and those entries don't require visas, how does that actually happen?

Do you even read what you post, and what I provided. Do you understand what getting an actual entry Visa involves?

When you go to places like the EU and get admitted when you arrive, that isn't a real Visa, that is a Visa waiver and simply an entry permit.

You get an actual Visa before you get on the plane, get on the boat, or cross the border.

 

[Zincwarrior]

If the review involves Visa applicants, and those entries don't require visas, how does that actually happen?

Under the ESTA program. Read the article I posted.

Do you even read what you post, and what I provided. Do you understand what getting an actual entry Visa involves?

This includes nonVisa visitors. It includes British tourists. You evidently did not read the article.

When you go to places like the EU and get admitted when you arrive, that isn't a real Visa, that is a Visa waiver and simply an entry permit.

No shit. AGAIN, this applies to nonVisa entries as well.

You get an actual Visa before you get on the plane, get on the boat, or cross the border.

Not to tour Europe. And IF I had been required to submit five years of social media I wouldn't have bothered. I didn't do that for my job.

 

[BackAgain]

The Trump admin is proposing that foreign tourists planning to visit the US must provide five years of social media posts in advance before being permitted entry. If so the US would join such democracies as Russia and China. Thoughts USMB? I would submit that this will massively impact foreign tourism to the US. I know if that was required for our former trips to Europe I would have never even contemplated them.



Trump ramps up tourist checks with plans for mandatory social media inspections

Exclusive: ‘These barriers will hit UK travel to the USA hard’ says Julia Lo Bue-Said, chief executive of Advantage Travel Partnership

Trump ramps up tourist checks with mandatory social media inspection plans

Exclusive: ‘These barriers will hit UK travel to the USA hard’ says Julia Lo Bue-Said, chief executive of Advantage Travel Partnership

www.the-independent.com

Football fans heading for the 2026 World Cup, as well as other British travellers planning visits to the US, will soon have to provide details of their social media activity going back five years.

The demand is included in a new document from the Department of Homeland Security setting out how it plans to comply with Donald Trump’s demand that foreign visitors should be “vetted and screened to the maximum degree possible”.

At present, the application form for the electronic system for travel authorisation (Esta) invites prospective visitors to reveal their social media accounts, but this is not mandatory. The permit costs $40 (£30) and allows stays of up to 90 days within two years.

US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials have the option to inspect phones belonging to arriving travellers. According to reports, some tourists have been turned away for making unfavourable comments about Donald Trump and vice president JD Vance.

Soon an applicant’s social media activity could be screened in advance, with officials deciding whether or not to issue an Esta to the traveller.

In the document, to be published in the Federal Register on Wednesday 10 December, US Customs and Border Protection says: “CBP is adding social media as a mandatory data element for an Esta application.

“The data element will require Esta applicants to provide their social media from the last five years.”

Being granted an Esta will now depend on a successful screening of social media accounts (Getty/iStock)

Officials are seeking comments from organisations and individuals on the plan.

A leading travel industry figure has deplored the demand. Julia Lo Bue-Said, chief executive of the Advantage Travel Partnership, said: “These barriers will hit UK travel to the USA hard. History shows us that when a destination becomes harder to reach, British holidaymakers simply go elsewhere.

“Right now, US bookings are up 20 per cent across our membership, driven by events like the football World Cup, but new obstacles could quickly reverse that trend.”

Other proposals in the document include a plan to end applications via the Esta website – requiring all applicants to use the app instead.

The document says: “CBP believes that moving to a mobile-only approach for Esta submissions will both enhance security and improve efficiency.

“Poor-quality image uploads to the Esta website have resulted in applicants bypassing the facial comparison screening.

“CBP believes that travellers are aware of this vulnerability and have begun to exploit it by purposely uploading poor-quality images to avoid detection.

"Additionally, CBP continues to struggle with fraudulent third-party websites. Third-party fraudulent websites charge travellers exorbitant fees to process an application, where many of these applications may never be processed by CBP, resulting in a traveller being unable to board a US-bound plane.”

In addition, the authorities propose a new system to confirm that short-term visitors have left the country – should their departure not be reported through the normal channels such as airline data.

Oh man. I’d be land locked.

I stand by the things I’ve posted, BUT not the manner in which I’ve always posted.

OTOH, I kind of get it. Say somebody seeks to move to the U.S. if we see that they constantly posted messages disparaging the American government and people, it would be irrational of us to grant their application to immigrate.

 

[shockedcanadian]

Well you are in luck, because most Canadians don't require a Visa.

They can look at my social media, all they will see is my support for freedom, I'm not too worried. Hell, if I had the right U.S border guard he might even buy me a beer

 

[Manonthestreet]

How would you even do that

 

[Zincwarrior]

Oh man. I’d be land locked.

I stand by the things I’ve posted, BUT not the manner in which I’ve always posted.

Same

OTOH, I kind of get it. Say somebody seeks to move to the U.S. if we see that they constantly posted messages disparaging the American government and people, it would be irrational of us to grant their application to immigrate.

I am not disagreeing for personal visas. This is about simple tourism. And its not a babble. Its a government rule thats been put up for public comment.