By Aaron Miller-
All tourists – including those from Britain – will have to undergo a social media screening before being allowed entry into the US under new plans being considered by the country’s border force.
Brits are normally amongst those who can visit for up to 90 days without a visa, once they obtain an electronic travel authorisation, known as an ESTA, for $40 (£30). However, matters are about to change due to the extra vigilance being adopted by the Trump administration.
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According to a notice published in America’s federal register on Tuesday, foreign tourists would need to provide their social media from the last five years.
It will be “mandatory” to hand over the information, and other details – including email addresses and telephone numbers used in the last five years, as well as the names, addresses, numbers, and birthdays of family members will also be required.
At the moment, tourists from Britain would have to provide an email address, home address, phone number, and emergency contact details. If approved, the ESTA lasts for two years.
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CBP is proposing that moving forward, ESTA applications would require a selfie.
It further wants to collect biometrics – face, fingerprints DNA and iris – as part of the ESTA application. It currently only records face and fingerprints upon arrival at the US border. The proposed changes are open for public consultation for 60 days.
Several reports of travellers denied entry into the US over social media posts and messages found on their personal devices after President Donald Trump took office in January has alarmed many
This includes a French scientist who was turned away at the US border in March after messages “that reflect hatred toward Trump and can be described as terrorism” were found on his phone. Despite Mr Trump vowing to “restore freedom of speech” on online platforms and end “federal censorship” when he took office, he has found himself at the centre of various free speech rows since.
In September, talk show host Jimmy Kimmel was taken off-air by Disney-owned ABC over comments he made about the assassination of the right-wing influencer Charlie Kirk.
Mr Kimmel accused the Trump administration and its allies of “working very hard to capitalise on the murder of Charlie Kirk”, with the president among those to pin it on left-wing extremism.
At the time, Mr Trump suggested certain networks should have their licenses revoked over a lack of support for him. Mr Kimmel’s show was reinstated less than a week after his suspension following widespread backlash from celebrities and viewers.
The stringent new laws has already raised concerns of freedom of speech hampering, but the Trump administration is honing on preventing people who may have shown a tendency to promote any incitement of hatred towards America or even Donald Trump himself.
Donald Trump has undoubtedly become one of the fiercest and strictest American presidents ever, adopting a no nonsense attitude, and demonstrating a poignant interest to to protect Americans from enemies of the people.
His followers see him as a very strong leader with deep principles, but his critics despise the man and his policies.
The reasons cited by U.S. government agencies, such as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and the State Department, primarily center on national security and immigration enforcement.
The primary justification is to enhance national security screening and identify potential threats or individuals of concern before they enter the country. Officials state that every visa decision is considered a national security decision.
Collecting social media identifiers helps in enhanced identity verification and background screening. Information on social platforms may be used to corroborate details provided in the application (such as identity, occupation, and travel history) or to validate information.
Social media history can serve as an additional tool to identify potential deception, fraud, or inconsistencies in an applicant’s information.
The government screens for content related to terrorism, but also for broader “anti-American” activity, antisemitic views, or “hostility towards the citizens, culture, government, institutions or founding principles of the United States.” Such content can be considered a negative factor or grounds for visa denial.
The policy aligns with the Trump administration’s “America First” rhetoric and general push for stricter immigration enforcement and tighter border controls.
The State Department has clarified that a U.S. visa is considered a “privilege, not a right,” allowing for stringent screening measures. Refusing to provide the information or making profiles public when requested can lead to visa denial.
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