CBP Weighs Narrower Social Media Screening for Travelers

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is considering a narrower version of its proposed requirement for travelers from Visa Waiver Program countries to provide five years of social media history when applying through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).

Speaking at the U.S. Travel Association’s IPW 2026 conference, CBP official Matt Davies said the agency is reviewing approximately 2,000 public comments submitted in response to the proposal, which has drawn significant criticism from international travelers and U.S. travel industry stakeholders.

Rather than applying the requirement universally, CBP is exploring a more targeted "waterfall approach" in which the amount of social media information requested would depend on applicants' responses during the ESTA process. Davies also noted that any new requirements are unlikely to take effect before late 2026 and will be subject to an additional federal notice and public comment period. 

Davies added that CBP's overall enforcement policies at U.S. entry points have not changed under the Trump administration, despite perceptions of increased scrutiny.

This article was provided to OSAP by ASAE's Power of Associations and Inroads.