U.S. plans to mandate social media checks for visa-free visitors
Summarize this article with:
The State Department said in December it would expand social media review requirements for H-1B visas for high-skilled workers. Photo by Bongkarn Thanyakij/Getty Images/Postmedia filesArticle contentThe United States is proposing that foreign visitors provide their social media history over the last five years to enter the country, including those from Australia, Germany, Japan and the United Kingdom who can now enter without a visa.Sign In or Create an AccountEmail AddressContinueor View more offersArticle contentU.S. Customs and Border Protection “is adding social media as a mandatory data element” as part of the screening process for travellers entering the U.S. under the Visa Waiver Program, according to a Department of Homeland Security notice posted on Wednesday. The proposal was given a 60-day notice with requests for comments.Article contentWe apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.We apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.Play VideoArticle contentArticle contentIt would apply to travellers from about 40 countries who can stay in the U.S. for up to 90 days without a visa and are screened before travel under an electronic system known as ESTA.Article contentPosthasteBreaking business news, incisive views, must-reads and market signals. Weekdays by 9 a.m.There was an error, please provide a valid email address.Sign UpBy signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.Thanks for signing up!A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Posthaste will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againInterested in more newsletters? Browse here.Article contentThe plan is the latest in a series of measures from the Trump administration aimed at restricting entry. This has included a planned travel ban for around 30 countries announced this month following the shooting of two National Guard members in Washington.Article contentFederal authorities have identified the suspect as an Afghan national who worked with U.S. forces and the CIA in Afghanistan before arriving in the U.S. in 2021.
President Donald Trump and his allies have seized on the case, blaming the Biden administration for allowing him into the country and pushing for tighter limits on migrants.Article contentTrump in a post on social media following the shooting said that he would move to “permanently” pause migration from “all Third World Countries.”Article contentThe U.S. will also launch a “comprehensive re-review” of approvals granted to people from those nations who entered on or after the start of President Joe Biden’s term in 2021, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services said in a policy memo.Article contentArticle contentThe State Department said in December it would expand social media review requirements for H-1B visas for high-skilled workers, urging applicants and dependants “to adjust the privacy settings on all of their social media profiles to ‘public.’” In June, it ordered a review of student visa applicants’ social media presence.Article contentRead More Timothy Wu on how Canada can take on U.S. Big Tech and thrive in the age of monopoly The countdown to the world's first social media ban for children Article contentThe U.S. has been on track for a sharp decline in foreign visitors and spending by tourists this year. Data from May indicated the country is set to lose US$12.5 billion in travel revenue in 2025, with visitor spending estimated to fall under US$169 billion by year’s end.Article contentThe country is also set for its first drop in foreign tourists in about five years, with some 67.9 million visits forecast for this year, down from 72.4 million in 2024, the U.S. Travel Association said.Article contentThe U.S. was the only one of 184 global economies analyzed by the World Travel & Tourism Council and Oxford Economics in the study from May projected to lose tourism dollars this year.Article contentThe decline was attributed to lingering Covid-era travel requirements, a strong dollar, and a shift in people’s views of the U.S. due to the Trump administration’s “America First” rhetoric and policy, it said.Article contentBloomberg.comArticle contentTrending This Canadian mine is as big as a city. It has a basketball court and its chefs serve 4,000 meals daily Commodities David Rosenberg: 10 reasons why we're now bullish on the Canadian dollar for the first time in many years News Posthaste: A market phenomenon not seen in 50 years is raising red flags at the world's central bank News Mark Wiseman top contender for ambassador to U.S. as Kirsten Hillman prepares to step down Finance Surging job market keeps Bank of Canada rate cuts on hold News Share this article in your social networkCommentsYou must be logged in to join the discussion or read more comments.Create an AccountSign in Join the Conversation Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information. This Canadian mine is as big as a city. It has a basketball court and its chefs serve 4,000 meals daily Commodities David Rosenberg: 10 reasons why we're now bullish on the Canadian dollar for the first time in many years News Posthaste: A market phenomenon not seen in 50 years is raising red flags at the world's central bank News Mark Wiseman top contender for ambassador to U.S. as Kirsten Hillman prepares to step down Finance Surging job market keeps Bank of Canada rate cuts on hold News