Vacationers visiting the US could also be required to reveal 5 years of their social media historical past underneath a proposal filed on Tuesday by the US Customs and Border Safety company. The Division of Homeland Safety stated in a discover that guests from a number of dozen international locations can be mandated to supply their social media info, in addition to different private info.
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It is unclear which social media platforms the company is referring to, and whether or not sure posts would lead to these vacationers being prevented from touring to the US.
“Nothing has modified on this entrance for these coming to the USA,” a spokesperson for Customs and Border Safety stated in an announcement. “This isn’t a remaining rule, it’s merely step one in beginning a dialogue to have new coverage choices to maintain the American individuals secure. The division is continually taking a look at how we vet these coming into the nation, particularly after the terrorist assault in Washington, DC in opposition to our Nationwide Guard proper earlier than Thanksgiving.”
On Dec. 5, Homeland Safety Secretary Kristi Noem stated the federal government is expanding its ban on journey from sure international locations to greater than 30, after an Afghan man was accused of allegedly capturing two West Virginia Nationwide Guard members on Nov. 26, killing one.
The social-media coverage would apply to vacationers coming to the US underneath the visa waiver program. That includes 42 international locations, together with the UK, Germany, France and Australia, the place guests are allowed to journey to the US for as much as 90 days with no visa.
Presently, vacationers from visa waiver international locations should acquire an electronic travel authorization, pay $40 and supply their e-mail deal with, house deal with, telephone quantity and emergency contact info. Itemizing your social media accounts is non-obligatory.
Beneath the brand new proposal, these guests wouldn’t solely should disclose their five-year social media historical past but additionally their e-mail addresses from the earlier decade, in addition to the names, beginning dates, locations of residence, and birthplaces of their mother and father, spouses, siblings and youngsters.
Individuals have 60 days to touch upon the proposed change. They might submit feedback through e-mail to CBP_PRA@cbp.dhs.gov, by means of Feb. 9.
The proposal follows a June announcement that some vacationers looking for visas to enter the US should change their social media profiles to public if they aren’t already set to that standing.
President Donald Trump has made clamping down on immigration a serious situation since he took workplace in January. The administration has additionally elevated restrictions on individuals touring to the US.
This proposal comes six months earlier than subsequent summer time’s 2026 soccer World Cup, which can be held within the US, Canada and Mexico, and is anticipated to convey an inflow of international vacationers to observe the matches.
