President Donald Trump's administration is actively discussing the implementation of mandatory social media checks for foreign visitors intending to enter the U.S. This applies to citizens of countries that can travel to the U.S. without visas under the ESTA system. It is expected that such a measure will strengthen control over migration and tourism.
The new rules will significantly affect citizens of Australia, Germany, Japan, and the United Kingdom. Undoubtedly, this move is part of the overall policy of the administration to tighten control over immigration and national security.
Experts note that due to restrictions on tourism activities in the U.S. stemming from increased oversight, tourism revenue in the country could decrease significantly by billions of dollars.
There are also plans to introduce a number of other restrictions, including entry bans for citizens of certain countries and checks for everyone who received entry permits after 2021. However, such steps have already provoked outrage among political colleagues from Europe, who see them as violations of democratic principles and freedom of speech.
The Trump administration proposes mandatory social media checks for entry into the U.S. This new decision affects citizens of 40 countries that are eligible to enter America without a visa through the ESTA system. The adoption of such measures elicits mixed reactions and discussions both within America and beyond.