DHS wants to check social media of tourists on entry to US

Border authorities seek new powers that would require incoming tourists to grant access to five years of their social media history

Muslim Network TV—December 12, 2025 0

WASHINGTON, United States (MNTV) – The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said border authorities are seeking new powers that would require incoming tourists to grant access to five years of their social media history upon arrival.

The proposal — an 11-page rule published in the Federal Register — is now open for a 60-day public comment period. It would cover platforms such as TikTok, X, and Instagram.

The requirement would apply to visitors entering through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), which facilitates visa-free travel from over 40 countries for stays up to 90 days.

DHS said the measure is intended to comply with a January 2025 executive order titled Protecting the United States From Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats.

Mandatory social media checks form part of a broader overhaul of data-collection procedures for individuals entering and leaving the United States.

In August, it emerged that the administration had expanded visa-holder screenings. According to the Washington Post, millions of people already inside the US were screened, with a particular focus on online activity to identify overstays or potential criminal conduct.

Separately, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced reviews of prospective immigrants’ social media for possible “anti-American” posts.

Federal officials are also intensifying enforcement against individuals who overstay their visas.