In a bid to tighten U.S. border security, the Trump administration is contemplating imposing stricter entry requirements on citizens from select visa-exempt countries. The enhanced regulations suggested by U.S. Customs and Border Protection would necessitate visitors from these countries to furnish five years’ worth of social media data. This proposal is currently open for public commentary for a 60-day period.
Earlier this month, the U.S. halted immigration applications from 19 countries deemed as “high-risk.” The potential impact of these new measures on travelers heading to the U.S., including a small number of Canadians, is under scrutiny.
The proposed changes, detailed in a document published in the Federal Register, are aimed at travelers from over three dozen nations participating in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). These countries, such as Australia, France, Germany, Israel, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom, have strong ties with the U.S. The VWP facilitates visa-free travel for up to 90 days for citizens of these countries, based on their historically low overstay rates and law enforcement cooperation with the U.S.
The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) application, a prerequisite for entering the U.S., may soon be replaced by a mobile app under the proposed changes. Travelers from VWP countries could be required to disclose their social media history for the past five years, along with past email addresses and phone numbers.
While the specifics of how social media data would be submitted remain undisclosed, experts anticipate border officials to scrutinize for anti-American sentiments or ties to anti-American groups. AI tools might be employed to scan social media profiles for specific keywords related to terrorism or violence.
Notably, criticism of U.S. President Donald Trump on social media is unlikely to impact entry decisions, as per legal experts. However, applicants must recognize that foreign nationals have limited privacy rights concerning personal data when entering the U.S.
The proposed changes are expected to have minimal impact on Canadians, as they are not part of the VWP and typically only require a passport for U.S. visits. Exceptions include specific visa categories like investor visas and K-1 fiancé(e) visas, which entail additional procedures but affect a small fraction of Canadian travelers.
