Tourists may have to provide 5 years of social media history to enter US

Trump wants to stop immigration from ‘the entire third world’

The Trump administration mentioned Friday it’s halting all asylum selections after the Nationwide Guard taking pictures in Washington. Consultants say the US has strict screening programs for asylum seekers. LiveNOW’s Austin Westfall is joined by Will Weissert, White Home Reporter for the Related Press, to debate present headlines from the White Home. Westfall asks Weissert concerning the ongoing peace talks specializing in Ukraine in Florida, the continuing stress marketing campaign towards Venezuela and President Trump’s makes an attempt to pause immigration from third world international locations.

Overseas vacationers who can at present enter the U.S. and not using a visa might quickly must submit as much as 5 years of social media and in depth e mail historical past to be authorised for journey.

Based on a proposal from Customs and Border Safety, the company needs that

New guidelines for the Visa Waiver Program

What we all know:

The proposed rule would apply to vacationers from about 40 international locations which can be a part of the Visa Waiver Program. These vacationers submit their journey purposes via the Digital System for Journey Authorization (ESTA), which mechanically screens after which approves them for journey to the US for a interval of as much as 90 days. Not like visa candidates, they often don’t have to go to an embassy or consulate for an interview.

FILE – Vacationers at Ronald Reagan Washington Nationwide Airport (DCA) in Arlington, Virginia, U.S., on Thursday, July 3, 2025. Photographer: Al Drago/Bloomberg by way of Getty Photos

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Along with their social media historical past, the brand new rule would additionally require them to submit data together with telephone numbers the particular person has used previously 5 years or e mail addresses used previously 10 years. Metadata from electronically submitted photographs can even be sought, in addition to in depth data from the applicant’s kin, together with their native land and their phone numbers.

Vacationers from international locations not included within the Visa Waiver Program system are already required to submit their social media data, a coverage that dates again to the primary Trump administration. This coverage continued through the administration of Democratic President Joe Biden.

Massive picture:

It’s a part of the Trump administration’s efforts to extend surveillance of worldwide vacationers and immigrants.

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Since January, the Trump administration has accomplished simply that tightened controls on immigrants and travelerseach these making an attempt to enter the US and people already within the nation. Officers have tightened visa guidelines by requiring candidates to make all their social media accounts public to allow them to be extra simply investigated and monitored for what authorities contemplate doubtlessly derogatory data. Refusing to make an account public could also be thought of grounds for visa denial, in line with State Division pointers.

What they are saying:

“We would like security, we would like certainty, we need to be sure that we do not let the incorrect folks into our nation.” President Donald Trump mentioned.

Nevertheless, the rule is just not but remaining.

“Nothing has modified on this entrance for these coming to the US. This isn’t a remaining rule, it’s merely step one in starting a dialogue about new coverage choices to guard the American folks,” CBP mentioned in an announcement.

The opposite facet:

Immigration and free speech advocates have raised considerations about what the Trump administration is searching for and whether or not it’s focusing on Trump critics.

What’s subsequent:

The general public can have 60 days to touch upon the proposed modifications earlier than they take impact, the discover mentioned.