Trump Officials Propose 5-Year Social Media Background Check for International Travelers

The Trump administration is eyeing a controversial new requirement that could further negatively impact inbound travel to the U.S.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has filed a 60-day notice for plans that would require foreign tourists to share their social media histories from the last five years before entering the country.

The notice was published in the Federal Register with a request for comments on Tuesday.

Agreeing to reveal the social media data would be "mandatory" for new entrants to the U.S., even if visiting from key markets and countries that don't require visas.

Beyond social media posts, CBP is proposing gaining access to email addresses and telephone numbers used by visitors in the last five years. Physical addresses and names of family members would also be in play. 

The notice comes nearly six months after the State Department announced it was requiring student and exchange visitor visa seekers to make their social media profiles public.

More recently, the State Department revealed it would expand an "online presence review" to include H-1B applicants and their dependents.

The American public can comment on the proposal over the next two months. 

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