CBP proposal expands digital screening rules amid heightened security concerns and Trump-era immigration shifts
The United States is preparing to introduce a new requirement that will compel certain international travelers to submit up to five years of their social media activity as part of their entry process. The proposal, released by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on Wednesday, will undergo a 60-day public review before it can take effect.
The policy forms part of a broader tightening of U.S. travel and immigration rules under the Trump administration, following recent security incidents and renewed debates over vetting foreign visitors.
Visa Waiver Travelers to Face Expanded Digital Checks
According to the CBP notice, nationals from countries in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), including the United Kingdom, Australia, France, Japan and other longtime U.S. partners will be required to submit their social media history through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) platform.
In addition to online activity, the CBP plans to collect several new categories of personal data, including:
- Email addresses used over the past 10 years
- Phone numbers from the past five years
- Names and details of family members
- Recent “selfies” to support biometric verification
Officials say the strengthened digital screening process is intended to improve identity verification and risk assessment.
Policy Follows Security Incident Near the White House
The proposal comes after an attack near the White House involving a visitor from Afghanistan, prompting the administration to introduce stricter monitoring mechanisms for foreign travelers.
President Donald Trump has doubled down on his pledge to halt migration from what he calls “Third World countries,” vowing to permanently block entries made under the Biden administration. He referenced a recent incident in which a Virginia National Guard member was fatally shot by an Afghan national admitted under a Biden-era humanitarian program.
Trump argued that rising immigration numbers are straining local and federal resources. Citing census data placing the foreign-born population at 53 million, he said communities, particularly in states like Minnesota are struggling to absorb new arrivals.
Part of a Global Trend Toward Digital Footprint Screening
The move aligns with a growing international trend of incorporating digital behavior into immigration decisions. The U.S. had previously announced that all visa applicants must provide social media handles used over the past five years on the DS-160 non-immigrant visa form.
Applicants must certify the accuracy of all information provided. Failure to list social media accounts or providing incomplete details, could lead to visa denial and potential long-term ineligibility for U.S. entry.
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