What we know about U.S. proposal to demand 5 years of social media history from certain visitors
CBC
As part of a continuing crackdown on U.S. borders, the Trump administration is now considering placing stricter requirements for entry on citizens of some visa-exempt countries.
The beefed-up regulations proposed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection would, in part, require visitors from those countries to submit five years’ worth of social media information.
The proposal is currently out for “commentary period,” meaning the public has 60 days to comment on it.
Earlier this month the U.S. paused all immigration applications from 19 "high-risk countries of concern."
Here's a look at what the new proposals could mean for travellers heading to the U.S. — including a small number of Canadians who might be affected.
The new proposal, published Wednesday in the Federal Registrar, would apply to travellers from more than three dozen countries that are part of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), who submit their information to the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) if they want to visit the U.S.
These countries include nations that have traditionally close ties with the U.S., such as Australia, France, Germany, Israel, Japan, South Korea and the United Kingdom.
The VWP was established to make it easier for citizens of these countries, which are deemed lower risk, to enter the U.S. for tourism or business for up to 90 days without a visa.
The lower-risk designation was based, in part, on citizens of these countries having a historically low incidence of overstaying.
As well, these countries share law-enforcement information with the U.S, meaning their citizens can be screened for incidents of criminality.
The ESTA application, completed online, is needed before an individual can board their flight or ship to the U.S. or cross at a land border.
The application requires information like passport details, home and email address, phone number and emergency contact. Travellers may also be asked questions regarding communicable diseases, arrests and convictions for certain crimes, and past history of visa revocation or deportation, according to the ESTA website.
An approved ESTA application is generally valid for two years.
U.S Customs and Border Protection is proposing to decommission the ESTA website and replace it with an app.
