Foreign travelers who currently enter the United States without a visa may soon face much stricter background checks as President Donald Trump moves to strengthen border security and national safety.
According to a new proposal published in the Federal Register, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is seeking expanded authority to collect detailed personal information from certain foreign visitors before they are approved to travel to the United States.
What’s Changing for Visa-Free Travelers
The proposal targets travelers from more than three dozen countries that participate in the Visa Waiver Program. These individuals typically visit the U.S. for tourism or business and stay for up to 90 days without needing a visa.
Under the new rules, applicants could be required to submit:
- Up to five years of social media history
- Email addresses used over the past decade
- Phone numbers used during the last five years
- Metadata from uploaded photos
- Detailed family information, including relatives’ birthplaces and contact details
Currently, travelers applying through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) provide far less information and do not undergo in-person interviews at U.S. embassies.
Trump: Security Comes First
President Trump dismissed concerns that the tougher screening could hurt tourism or business travel.
Trump said at the White House that his priority is protecting public safety and ensuring dangerous individuals are kept out of the United States.
Administration officials say the changes are part of a broader effort to close security gaps and prevent individuals who pose potential threats from entering the U.S.
Why the Administration Is Acting Now
CBP confirmed the proposal is tied to an executive order President Trump signed earlier this year, directing federal agencies to increase vetting of foreign nationals seeking entry into the country.
Travelers from non-Visa Waiver countries have long been required to submit social media information — a policy that began during Trump’s first term and remained in place under the Biden administration. The key difference now is that visa-free travelers may soon be subject to similar scrutiny.
Expanded Screening Across the Immigration System
Since January, the Trump administration has tightened screening across multiple immigration programs. Visa applicants are now often required to make social media accounts public so officials can review content for potential security concerns.
According to State Department guidelines, refusing to comply can result in visa denial.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has also updated its review standards, examining whether applicants have promoted or supported extremist, anti-American, terrorist, or antisemitic views when seeking benefits such as green cards.
Public Comment Period Underway
The proposed changes will not take effect immediately. The public has 60 days to submit comments before the rules are finalized.
While immigration activists and free-speech groups have raised objections, supporters say the measures are a common-sense step toward restoring order at the border and protecting American citizens.
For many voters, the proposal reinforces President Trump’s core message: secure borders, strong enforcement, and putting America first.