A new U.S. government proposal under President Donald Trump has sparked backlash from travel groups, lawmakers, and prospective visitors over plans to require travellers using the visa waiver programme to share their social media handles from the past five years.
The policy, announced in a notice from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) this week, is set to take effect on 8 February. It would extend the existing requirement for immigrant and non-immigrant visa applicants who have had to provide such details since 2019 to millions of additional travellers entering the United States without visas.
Expanded Data Collection for Visa Waiver Visitors
Under the new rule, visitors from 42 countries, mostly in Europe, who use the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) will have to include their social media accounts when applying for entry. The proposed change also mandates the disclosure of all email addresses used over the past decade, as well as personal data on close relatives including parents, siblings, spouses, and children.
The notice, which is open for public comment for 60 days, cites an executive order signed by Trump on 20 January directing that all visitors be “vetted and screened to the maximum degree.” It marks another step in the administration’s broader effort to tighten entry requirements for foreign nationals.
Tourism Industry and Lawmakers Raise Concerns
Erik Hansen, head of government relations at the U.S. Travel Association, said the group was reviewing the proposed changes and engaging with officials. “If we fail to deliver an efficient, secure and modern vetting process, international visitors will choose other destinations,” he warned.
U.S. Senator Patty Murray, a leading Democrat from Washington state, sharply criticised the plan and the influence of White House aide Stephen Miller, known for shaping Trump’s hardline immigration policies. “It would be easier to just ban tourism,” she wrote on X, adding, “Who besides Stephen Miller is asking for this?”
Bethany Allen, an analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, commented that the new rules appeared even more restrictive than China’s border controls. “Wow even China doesn’t do this,” she said.
Balancing Security and Tourism Ahead of 2026 World Cup
Asked whether the policy might deter tourists, Trump told business leaders at the White House that the priority was national security. “We want to make sure we’re not letting the wrong people into our country,” he said.
The changes come as the U.S. prepares to co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup with Canada and Mexico—a global event expected to draw millions of international visitors. Travel industry groups fear that stricter vetting could undermine recovery efforts after years of declining tourism.
CBP described the announcement as “the first step in starting a discussion” on improving safety while reviewing travel processes. Meanwhile, the administration also began accepting applications for a new “gold card,” offering U.S. permanent residency to those investing $1 million, with a $5 million “platinum card” programme reportedly in development.
(with inputs from Reuters)
