United States of America may force tourists to disclose 5-years social media history before entry under a sweeping new proposal introduced by the Trump administration that could permanently change how millions of people travel to the country.
If approved, every foreign visitor would be required to submit records of online activity dating back five years before being eligible to enter the US. The policy would apply to tourists from every nation, including those who currently travel without a visa under the ESTA system.
The rule would eliminate what has long been considered low-barrier travel. Entry into the US would no longer be based solely on a passport and travel approval. Digital history would become part of border control.
Customs and Border Protection under the Department of Homeland Security would also demand all email addresses and phone numbers used during the same five year period. Travelers would be required to submit the personal details of immediate family members, including children. Names, birthdates, birthplaces, and residential addresses would all be part of the disclosure.
The proposal appeared in the Federal Register, the official government record of regulatory announcements, and is open for a sixty day public comment period. DHS has not issued a clear policy explanation on data retention, cybersecurity safeguards, or whether disclosures would ever be deleted.
Tourism experts fear the effects could be immediate and far-reaching.
The United States is preparing to co-host the FIFA World Cup alongside Canada and Mexico. International tourists are expected to account for millions in revenue across accommodation, transport, dining, and entertainment. The possibility that fans may be asked to surrender private online histories could discourage attendance and redirect tourism spending to other destinations.
There is already evidence that international travel to the US is slowing.
California tourism authorities are predicting a significant fall in overseas visitors this year. In Los Angeles, foot traffic in major tourist corridors has dropped sharply. Las Vegas is also reporting reduced international bookings as foreign tourists choose destinations they consider less restrictive.
Canada, one of the most reliable tourism markets for the US, is registering historic declines in travel. Government data shows air and road travel between the two countries has dropped noticeably. Industry experts link the downturn to stricter immigration policies and rising costs for visitors.
National parks including Yosemite and the Grand Canyon now charge foreign visitors additional daily entry fees. Free admission days for non-residents have been almost entirely removed, making travel more expensive and less appealing.
International students applying to US institutions are now required to make their social media profiles accessible for review. Refusal is treated as possible concealment of information and may result in visa denial. Several students have reportedly been detained following online political statements.
The US government is considering reducing journalist visas from multi-year permissions to much shorter durations. Media advocacy groups have warned that foreign reporting in the United States could become difficult, unstable, and costly.
Technology professionals and digital workers have also been affected.
US embassies have been directed to deny visas to individuals who previously worked in content moderation or fact-checking roles. Officials claim these workers contributed to censorship without providing conditions or individual assessments.
Border inspections are becoming more aggressive.
CBP officers already possess the authority to search travelers’ electronic devices. Entry can be denied if a traveler refuses cooperation. Tens of thousands of devices are currently searched every year. That number is widely expected to rise under the new disclosure policy.
The shift in immigration culture is unmistakable.
Entering the United States is no longer just about physical border control. It is about digital inspection.
For travelers around the world, the meaning of a US visit may soon be redefined completely.
