The USA Department of Homeland Security has introduced a proposal to expand entry screenings for foreign travelers. The plan involves reviewing applicants’ social media history.
Aditionally, the public comment period for this regulation will run until February 9, 2026. The measure will apply at all ports of entry under USA immigration jurisdiction. It is specifically targeted at citizens of countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program.
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Implementation will be carried out by modifying the form for the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). Applicants will voluntarily provide their identifiers or usernames on digital platforms.
Security officials will analyze posts and online activity from the last five years. Then, this information will be cross-referenced with existing intelligence databases and watchlists.
USA to review five years of social media history for foreign travelers
The proposed rule affects nationals from approximately forty countries who currently do not require a visa to enter the USA for tourism or business for short stays. These travelers must obtain ESTA authorization before their trip.
The new provision will modify the requirements of this form, incorporating a specific field to declare social media accounts. This change represents a significant expansion of the personal data requested for pre-travel risk assessment.
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The ESTA form will request the usernames used on major platforms over the past five years. Providing this information is categorized as voluntary within the application process. However, omitting this data could be interpreted as a lack of cooperation and constitute sufficient grounds to deny travel authorization to USA.
Authorities will use the provided data to conduct a more comprehensive risk assessment of each applicant. The government maintains that this practice allows for the identification of potential threats not detectable through traditional verification methods.
The legal basis for this initiative is found in the Visa and Travel Security Improvement Act, enacted in 2015. This law empowered the Department of Homeland Security to evaluate the use of social media in screening processes.
Regulatory Context and Reactions
This proposal revives and formalizes a similar initiative announced during the previous administration that was not fully or permanently implemented. The USA’s measure is part of a broader strategy to use open-source information for national security. The analysis would seek to identify potential connections with designated terrorist organizations.
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Content will be examined for signs of radicalization or recruitment by extremist groups. Speech or narratives promoting violence or serious criminal activity will be assessed. Information will be cross-referenced with existing alerts in intelligence systems.
Civil rights and digital liberties groups, such as the American Civil Liberties Union, have expressed deep concern. They argue that the measure sets a precedent for mass surveillance and could have a chilling effect on freedom of expression.
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They point out that travelers visiting the USA may self-censor online for fear their posts will be misinterpreted and lead to being denied entry. Furthermore, immigrant advocacy organizations warn of the risk of discriminatory or biased enforcement against people of certain national, religious, or political backgrounds, which could disproportionately affect specific communities.
The proposal represents a firm step toward the systematic integration of digital intelligence into routine immigration controls. Its final implementation and definitive scope will depend on the analysis of public comments received during the regulatory review period.
This process underscores the ongoing tension between implementing robust national security protocols and protecting individual rights and privacy in the digital age. The debate over necessary limits and safeguards will continue in legal and public policy forums in the coming months.
