Proposed social-media checks for ESTA travelers spark US entry questions

A proposed rule to allow U.S. immigration officials to review five years of a traveler’s social media posts and to compel disclosure of additional personal information from ESTA applicants could take effect as soon as February, though it faces potential legal challenges that could delay or block the rollout.

The policy traces back to remarks made by former President Donald Trump, who said immigration authorities may be empowered under a to-be-ratified proposal to screen social media as part of visa-waiver processing. Under the plan, ESTA applicants would be required to disclose social media handles used in the past five years; at present, travelers are asked to provide such details on a voluntary basis. In addition to social profiles, officials say a category described as “high value data” could be requested, including telephone numbers from the past five years, dates and places of birth of family members, and business emails spanning roughly the last decade. The aim, according to backers, is to prevent entry by individuals who could threaten national security or misuse immigration policies.

The implementation timeline is far from settled. U.S. Customs and Border Protection says the authority to review social media and related data would be exercised under a framework that officials say already exists to protect citizens from those who intend to commit terrorist acts or otherwise exploit immigration rules, citing Executive Order 14161. The proposal could come into effect as soon as February with broader “high-value data” collection to follow, but the Trump-era plan may be delayed or blocked by courts, potentially prolonging the process.

Experts note the practical hurdles are substantial. David Ellis, a digital-behavior researcher at the University of Bath, said the volume of data across multiple platforms would require automated tools, likely artificial intelligence, to search efficiently. He suggested that investigators would likely pursue targeted queries—for instance, signals of support for designated terrorist organizations—rather than a full manual review of every post. The evolving policy raises questions about how travelers would prepare documentation and how they would present five years of social media activity within ESTA applications.

Those who would be required to disclose social media on ESTA forms would effectively consent to a broader government review of their online presence. While supporters argue the measures are necessary for national security, travelers may consider applying for ESTA now if they anticipate needing to travel to the United States in the near term. As with any significant immigration policy, final rules, litigation, and technology questions will shape how and when these changes are implemented, and how they affect millions of people seeking to visit the United States for tourism or business.