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The administration of Donald Trump has unveiled a new proposal this Wednesday that would significantly tighten immigration controls on foreign tourists wishing to enter the United States.
The most controversial change revolves around the requirement to provide information about social media used in the past five years.
This measure would affect both those who need a visa and those coming from countries under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), such as much of Europe, Japan, or South Korea.
But that's not all: The plan includes a collection of personal and family data never seen before in these types of migration processes.
The proposal was published on December 10 by the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in the Federal Register as part of a 60-day notice for public comments.
According to the document, this change aims to comply with Executive Order 14161 of January 2025, titled “Protection of the United States Against Foreign Terrorists and Other Threats to National Security and Public Safety.”
“CBP is incorporating social media as a mandatory data element for the ESTA application”, the official document states.
That is to say, even those who complete the ESTA form (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) would not be exempt. This measure would, therefore, affect many millions of potential visitors to the United States.
What data will the U.S. request?
The new ESTA form will not only require usernames or links to social media platforms such as Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok, or LinkedIn.
The plan includes a collection of personal and family data never before seen in this type of immigration process.
Here is a summary of the main elements:
-Social networks used in the last 5 years.
-Phone numbers used in the last 5 years.
- Email addresses used over the last 10 years.
- IP addresses and photograph metadata.
-Names, dates of birth, and places of residence of relatives (parents, spouse, children, siblings).
-Email addresses and phone numbers of recent employers.
-Biometrics: facial image, fingerprints, iris, and even DNA in some cases.
How will this information be evaluated?
The document suggests that the information collected will be analyzed using automated systems and artificial intelligence tools to detect suspicious patterns, potential links to extremist groups, or signs of criminal activity.
According to sources from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), "the review of social media has become an essential tool for detecting connections with extremist groups, violent rhetoric, or fraudulent activities."
In the government's words: "Social media can provide key elements for assessing the entry visas that are granted."
Although it is not specified whether the accounts must be public, specialized media warn that a similar measure has recently been applied to labor asylum applicants requiring their profiles to be public for review.
If that logic is extended to the ESTA, travelers might be forced to expose their digital activities to immigration authorities.
What is being sought with this policy?
The Trump administration claims that this is a national security strategy to close "gaps" in risk assessment and prevent individuals with radical backgrounds or suspicious activities from entering the country.
Since 2019, visa applicants have been required to disclose their social media accounts, but the new policy aims to make the screening more thorough, systematic, and mandatory.
“Reviewing social media history will be an essential requirement for obtaining entry authorization to the U.S.,” internal DHS documents indicate.
In addition, CBP wants to eliminate the current ESTA website and centralize the entire process in a mobile app that features biometric verification using NFC technology.
This change would further limit access for those who do not have compatible devices.
Critiques and Concerns: Security or Surveillance?
Organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) have expressed deep concerns about this type of proposal.
They warn that it could lead to subjective decisions based on political, cultural, or ideological interpretations.
"Monitoring so many social media platforms and messages on a large scale could lead to self-censorship among travelers, students, and foreign workers," the ACLU has warned.
The concern is that critical comments about the United States—such as satirical publications, complaints against the country’s policies, or even memes—could be misinterpreted by algorithms.
"That tweet criticizing Donald Trump or complaining about the American healthcare system could be reason enough for you to lose your visa," warn some analysts.
Moreover, experts in cybersecurity and digital communication have emphasized how complex it is to accurately interpret content on social media
Sarcasm, irony, or cultural codes can be misunderstood.
There are thousands of parody accounts and manipulated content that could lead to misunderstandings.
Artificial intelligence tools do not always distinguish between humor and threat.
When does it come into effect?
For now, the proposal has not been approved.
It is currently in a 60-day review period to receive feedback from the public and federal agencies, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act.
If approved, it could take effect in 2026 and drastically change the way travel authorizations are requested.
Comments can be sent via email to:
CBP_PRA@cbp.dhs.gov
202-325-0056
An increasingly closed digital border
This new step in the immigration policies of the United States marks a shift towards a preventive surveillance model based on digital fingerprints.
While the argument of national security is legitimate, fundamental questions arise about the balance between protection, privacy, and individual rights.
In a hyperconnected world, the border is no longer just at airports, but in every post, tweet, or comment that a tourist may have made years earlier.
The question now is not just whether you will be allowed to enter the country, but whether your digital identity will accompany you like an invisible passport, under the constant scrutiny of the algorithm.
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