The Trump administration is about to make it a whole lot harder for visa-exempt foreign tourists—including Australians—to visit the U.S. They need to provide access to their social media accounts for the last five years, even before entering the US. On Tuesday, a notice published today in the Federal Register officially proposed this change. As a whole, it focuses on reducing legal immigration, especially family-based immigration, while cracking down on illegal immigration and raising the bar for entry.
Under the new proposed rules, travelers from Australia and 41 other countries that currently enjoy visa-free travel—including New Zealand, Great Britain, France and Japan—would encounter significant new barriers. Now travelers from these countries will be required to submit their social media handles when they apply for their Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). This joint action puts these countries on an equal footing on entry requirements. Now, just like tourist visa applicants, incoming travelers will have to provide their social media handles, a requirement that has been mandatory since 2019.
Increased Scrutiny Under New Rules
The Trump administration has steadily tightened entry requirements over the past year, marking a significant shift in immigration policy aimed at both legal and illegal immigration. The new draft proposal goes even further, not just requiring the analysis of social media histories but other “high-value data fields.” First, applicants are required to provide all phone numbers used in the past five years. They further expect them to deliver ten years of email addresses, the personal information of family members, and even biometrics.
The public charge rule that is scheduled to take effect next Monday for H-1B skilled worker visa applicants. The public has just 60 days to comment on the complicated, technical proposal. Many are concerned about how these changes will affect international relations and tourism. As of this writing, the public comment period is still open, but it will close in early January 2024.
Concerns Over Impact on Events
The impending changes to tourist visa requirements have raised alarms among soccer fans planning to attend the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Many fans are concerned with these new social media disclosure requirements. They’re worried these changes will lead to increased oversight or even stop them from being able to adequately fund their teams.
Furthermore, in June, the administration directed student visa applicants to make their social media profiles public for enhanced scrutiny by U.S. officials assessing their applications. Taken together, these actions signal the administration’s continued push to impose tougher vetting requirements and shut down more critical speech online.
Public Response and Future Implications
The Trump administration’s proposal has responding with delighted applause — and outrage. Security experts and civil libertarians alike have denounced these measures as an invasion of privacy that will discourage international tourists from traveling to the United States. Opponents counter that this kind of heightened review is an important security measure, particularly in the name of national security.
The public comment period is now open. This is a unique opportunity for all stakeholders to meaningfully express their concerns and recommendations regarding the changes that are being proposed. The result of this joint initiative is unknown. Make no mistake — the Trump administration is unapologetically and pervasively centering draconian immigration policies in its agenda.
