US Proposes Mandatory Social Media Check for Tourists

Is this an essential security screening to protect Americans from hostile visitors, or an invasive assault on privacy and free speech?

Published DEC 10

US Proposes Mandatory Social Media Check for Tourists

story

Above: Travelers move through a TSA security screening line at Orlando International Airport in Orlando, Florida on Nov. 26, 2025. Image credit: Paul Hennesy/Anadolu/Getty Images

The Spin

Pro-Trump narrative

Protecting Americans from foreign threats requires vigilant screening of visitors' social media to ensure those entering the country don't harbor hostile attitudes toward citizens, culture or founding principles. This necessary security measure prevents terrorists and those with malevolent purposes from exploiting immigration laws while maintaining the principle that living in America remains a privilege, not a right.

New York Post FOX News Newsmax

Anti-Trump narrative

Trump's mandatory social media screening for tourists represents an alarming assault on free speech and privacy that will chill expression for millions of innocent travelers and their American contacts. This invasive policy forces visitors to surrender five years of online history just to experience American landmarks — sending a clear message that commitment to freedom is a mere pretense. The requirement contradicts claims of restoring free speech while punishing travelers for legitimate criticism and creating a chilling effect on global discourse.

The Register on X EuroNews Le Monde.fr

Public Figures

Donald Trump

Establishment split

CRITICAL

PRO

Trump to force foreign tourists including Brits to provide five years of social media history before entering US

The US SunDEC 11

Trump Administration Plans to Check Five Years of Social Media for Visitors

Trump Plan Would Force Tourists to Share Years of Social Media Posts Before Entering US

Common DreamsDEC 11

US plans to order foreign tourists to disclose social media histories

South China Morning PostDEC 11

Brits face handing over five years of social media history to enter US

Daily MirrorDEC 11

Trump is coming after your social media! Brits face having FIVE YEARS of history screened before being allowed into US

The StandardDEC 11

US plans to start checking all tourists' social media

US plans to order visa-exempt foreign tourists to disclose social media histories

Le Monde.frDEC 11

Planning a US trip? Travellers may soon need to make their social media history public

Trump Foreign Tourists Social Media History.Html

Daily MailDEC 11

Us Social Media Tourist Visa Proposal Esta

Foreign tourists could be required to disclose 5 years of social media histories under Trump administration plan

US could ask tourists for five-year social media history before entry

Tourists to US would have to reveal five years of social media activity under new Trump plan

Homeland Security moves toward scrutinizing foreign tourists' social media accounts before entry

Trump Plan Would Allow Government to Check 5 Years of Tourists' Social Media History Before They Visit the U.S.

People.comDEC 11

FIRE statement on Trump demand for social media history of foreign tourists

Trump ramps up tourist checks with plans for mandatory social media inspections

The IndependentDEC 11

Visitors to the US could be required to share 5 years of their social media history

U.S. to mandate checks of some tourists' social media history from past 5 years

Trump admin set to scrutinize foreign visitors social media history

New York PostDEC 11

US plans to order foreign tourists, including Australians, to disclose social media histories

US could ask tourists for five-year social media history before entry

US plans to mandate social media checks for visa-free visitors

The Economic TimesDEC 11

Bias Split Public Figures Controversies

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© 2025 Improve the News Foundation.

All rights reserved.

Version 6.19.1