Proposed US immigration changes

[reluctantbrit]

In case you still plan to visit the US, if this will be reality there is no way I am going near any US border.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/10/tourists-social-media-trump

For the majority of people esta approvals are instant. It's just automatic cross checking of details against any red flags the US has.

Yes social media companies have our data because we use them. There are strict processes and all that that govern law enforcement requesting data from databases.

Most esta approvals are instantaneous anyway.

BBC article which say this is all propsal and nothing been changed yet - is saying that they want all social media set to public and all data handed over. They are testing the waters and haven't yet change policy.

If you don't they can deny entry.

I assume they may be able to go to some US companies and ask - but there are non US sites out there they probably can't - so how would they know - hence some of us wonder if you have none would they assume you're lying ?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1dz0g2ykpeo

As well as the collection of social media information, the new document proposes the gathering of an applicant's telephone numbers and email addresses used over the last five and 10 years respectively, and more information about their family members.
The text cites an executive order from Trump in January, titled "Protecting the United States From Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats".
The new proposal regarding ESTA data collection for tourists invites views from the public for 60 days.
"Nothing has changed on this front for those coming to the United States," a spokesperson for CBP said in a statement.
"This is not a final rule, it is simply the first step in starting a discussion to have new policy options to keep the American people safe."

....

The Trump administration previously announced it would examine social media accounts when vetting foreign nationals who apply for student visas or H-1B visas for skilled workers.
The state department said it would conduct "online presence" reviews for applicants and their dependants, and that privacy settings on all social media profiles must be made "public" so this screening can take place.
An announcement on the website for the US Embassy and Consulate in Mexico states certain visa applicants must list all social media usernames or handles of every platform they have used in the last five years.
It warns that if any social media information is not listed, it could lead to both current and future visas being denied.

Yes they have already announced it for student and skilled workers but now the suggestion is it's for all entry. I think if I was stydying or working ie planning a long stay in a country I'd be less fussed about handing such data over for a two week vaccation of few days bussness trip most I think would just go elsewhere - which Trump seems fine with.

At the moment, that may change with all this

It would put me off going on holiday as I could just go somewhere else with less onerous stuff to fill in.

Between ESTA, finger printing and photos taken at customs they already have quite a lot of information. Facial recognition can be used with identifying on social media.

Unless you are visiting family or for work reasons why on earth would anyone visit the US right now?

Unless you are visiting family or for work reasons why on earth would anyone visit the US right now?

They are suffering a drop in tourists - but they are also hosting Olympics and FIFA World cup - and some people do make an effort to go and see those.

I think it may be very interesting to compare staudiums in Canada and Mexico and ones in US - and see if in the end the US ones are more empty.

Yeah, I’m not sure you understand.

I have searched and searched and can find no exhaustive list of what the ESTA defines as social media. Reddit is supposed to be anonymous, but it’s been made clear that if they see the Reddit app on your phone, then they will define that as part of your social media. I would not assume anything involving communication, whether anonymous or not, is ruled out. It may include anything and everything from the “usual” social media, to WhatsApp, Telegram, Discord, Mumsnet, Reddit, and anything else you have an app for that has a “posting on the internet to other people” ability.

I’ve heard some people say to just delete all apps from your phone if you MUST go to the US, but honestly, I just really, really wouldn’t go.

There are plenty of American soccer fans who can pay those prices and will be pleased to find hotels more easily (than if they had to compete with overseas visitors needing hotels in the host cities). US stadia during WC will Not be empty even if no foreigners at all spectating.

It's the players themselves & their entourages & families who want to travel who may be challenged to get in, but again... I predict enormous carve outs for sports events.

Some people really are on nothing - MIL a technophobe doesn't even have her own e-mail address.

She doesn't plan to ever go to US but I do wonder how people like her would get dealt with.

There are plenty of American soccer fans who can pay those prices and will be pleased to find hotels more easily (than if they had to compete with overseas visitors needing hotels in the host cities). US stadia during WC will Not be empty even if no foreigners at all spectating.

That's good then - like their tourist industry as a whole is fine with more US vistors - they spend less than overseas and US citizens are rapidly cutting back as job losses and cost of living hit them but it's all better than ever.

I wasn't suggesting they'd be completely empty more interested to see if they will be less busy than other two countries. I have seen vendors in US cities who were expecting huge international crowds and large profits expressing worried they may not materialise. Though some of that may be poltical pressure so those exceptions do get made.

I don't remember giving anyone any information about me during covid, what did I miss?

I don't know if it's practicable, but it still pisses me off. I'm Jewish but I'd probably not get in due to what they're calling 'antisemitism' (they have stated this is a reason to refuse entry) ie, I have criticised the Israeli government and expessed support for the people of Gaza. Because that is the sole meaning of it for them.

An actual antisemite with a feed full of 'The Jews will not replace us' and 'Hitler was right' would still walk right in, I'm sure.

Vaccine passports and all that

Not bothered about going to the US itself, but as pps have noted it is a gateway to Central America in particular and you cannot simply transit, you must pass through the border controls. The only times I’ve had to get Estas have been to go to Central America, which I very much do want to visit again.

The whole administration is so full of contradictions though.

Like them banging on about free speech in Europe but then wanting to deny entry to the US to anyone who may have expressed opinions which they don't like.

I honestly can't really understand why anyone would want to go there right now in any case.

I certainly have no intention of going while these murderous clowns are in charge, but it must be tough for people who have family or work there.

Never had one, are you not in the UK? I got vaccinated (still do), I'm sure it's on my NHS records, but so are all my health details. Possibly you had to prove you were vaccinated to get on a plane, which would seem sensible, but I wasn't really travelling far during the worst of covid. And you have to have a passport with all your details to get on a plane anyway. How was that giving all our information to government?

We plan to visit the US twice next year and this won’t stop us
honestly why everyone gets their panties in a wad on MN over USA / Dubai

when we went last summer, the customs experience was less traumatic than some European destinations, no problem at all

Oh in the USA I remember some cities and states would say you'd have to be vaccinated to go and dine in restaurants there

My husband said similar

I’ve heard some people say to just delete all apps from your phone

Your SM accounts aren't "on your phone". They are "in the cloud". And all cloud providers that have a US presence (so all of them) are required under the CLOUD act to cough up data to Uncle Sam when asked.

As I've said, without more details, it's hard to know what they will do. However, as a matter of experience and professional advice, I would start with what they can do, and work backwards.

We plan to visit the US twice next year and this won’t stop us

That might depend o what they find. Let's hope you don't have easily confused names with an undesirable.

Just because the public facing Mumsnet pages only show posters' nicknames doesn't mean it's anonymous.

If there's an investigation and they can show probable cause. CBP aren't going to mass download people's social media data and scan that for an ESTA approval.

Get the esta now. Have a great trip!