Thinking of Traveling to the U.S.? Here's What You Need to Know About Trump's New Entry Control Plan

On Wednesday, the Trump administration unveiled a new proposal that could significantly tighten the immigration controls for foreign tourists wishing to enter the United States.

The most controversial aspect of this proposal is the requirement to submit social media information used over the past five years.

This measure would impact not only those needing visas but also visitors from countries in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), which includes much of Europe, Japan, and South Korea.

But that's not all: The plan also calls for an unprecedented collection of personal and family data in immigration 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 fulfill Executive Order 14161 from January 2025, titled “Protecting the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other Threats to National and Public Safety.”

The official document states, “CBP is incorporating social media as a mandatory data element for the ESTA application.”

This means that even those completing the ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) form would not be exempt. Therefore, this measure could affect millions of potential visitors to the United States.

What Information Will the U.S. Require?

The new ESTA form will not only demand social media usernames or links to platforms like Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok, or LinkedIn.

The plan involves gathering personal and family data never before seen in such immigration processes.

Here's a summary of the main elements:

• Social media used over the last 5 years.
• Phone numbers used in the last 5 years.
• Email addresses used over the past 10 years.
• IP addresses and photo metadata.
• Names, birthdates, and residences of family members (parents, spouse, children, siblings).
• Emails and phone numbers of recent employers.
• Biometric data: facial image, fingerprints, iris, and possibly DNA in some cases.

How Will This Information Be Evaluated?

The document suggests that the collected information will be analyzed through automated systems and artificial intelligence tools to detect suspicious patterns, potential links to extremist groups, or signs of criminal activity.

Sources from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) state, “Social media review has become an essential tool for detecting connections with extremist groups, violent rhetoric, or fraudulent activities.”

According to the government, “Social media can provide key elements for evaluating entry visas.”

Although it's unclear if accounts must be public, specialized media warn that a similar measure recently applied to asylum seekers requires profiles to be open for review.

If this logic extends to ESTA, travelers may be forced to expose their digital activities to immigration authorities.

What Is the Goal of This Policy?

The Trump administration claims 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 declare their social media, but the new policy aims to make the control more thorough, systematic, and mandatory.

“Checking social media history will be an essential requirement for obtaining entry authorization to the U.S.,” internal DHS documents indicate.

Additionally, CBP plans to eliminate the current ESTA website and centralize the entire process in a mobile app with biometric verification features using NFC technology.

This change would further limit access for those without compatible devices.

Criticisms and Concerns: Security or Surveillance?

Organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) have expressed deep concerns about such proposals.

They warn it could lead to subjective decisions based on political, cultural, or ideological interpretations.

“Monitoring so many social networks and messages could lead to preventive self-censorship among travelers, students, and foreign workers,” the ACLU has warned.

The fear is that critical comments about the United States—such as satirical posts, complaints against the country's policies, or even memes—may be misinterpreted by algorithms.

“That tweet criticizing Donald Trump or complaining about the American healthcare system could be enough to cost you your visa,” some analysts warn.

Moreover, cybersecurity and digital communication experts have highlighted the complexity of correctly interpreting social media content:

• Sarcasm, irony, or cultural codes can be misunderstood.
• Thousands of parody accounts and manipulated content could lead to errors.
• Artificial intelligence tools do not always distinguish between humor and threat.

When Will This Take Effect?

For now, the proposal has not been approved.

It is currently under a 60-day review period to receive comments from the public and federal agencies, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act.

If approved, it could take effect in 2026, drastically changing how travel authorizations are requested.

Comments can be sent via email to: CBP_PRA@cbp.dhs.gov 202-325-0056

A Digital Border Becoming Tighter

This new step in U.S. immigration policies marks a shift towards a preventive surveillance model based on digital footprints.

While the national security argument is legitimate, fundamental questions arise about the balance between protection, privacy, and individual rights.

In a hyper-connected world, the border is no longer just at airports, but in every post, tweet, or comment a tourist has made years before.

The question now is not just whether you will be allowed into the country, but whether your digital identity will accompany you as an invisible passport, under the constant scrutiny of algorithms.