Australians are reconsidering their travel plans to the United States following a proposal that requires visitors to disclose their social media history as part of the visa waiver application process. This new regulation, announced by the US Customs and Border Protection agency (CBP), mandates that tourists from 42 countries, including Australia, provide details of their social media activity from the past five years. The changes are set to undergo a 60-day review period before implementation.
The move aligns with an executive order issued by former President Donald Trump on his inauguration day in January 2017. This order aimed to “protect” the United States from visitors deemed to have “hostile attitudes” towards its citizens and institutions. The announcement has sparked considerable backlash, with many Australians expressing their discontent over the perceived invasion of privacy.
Public Reaction and Travel Trends
Numerous Australian citizens have voiced their outrage regarding the new policy, describing it as “horrifying” and “draconian.” Travel data indicates that Australians were already shying away from the United States even before the specifics of these rules were disclosed. In November 2023, the number of Australians arriving in the US fell to just 45,408, marking an 11% decrease from the same month the previous year. This decline follows a significant drop from over 100,000 monthly arrivals in 2019, the last year before the COVID-19 pandemic imposed widespread travel restrictions.
Jonathan, a 42-year-old Sydney resident who preferred to remain anonymous, had planned to visit the US for next year’s FIFA World Cup. However, he changed his plans months earlier due to concerns about US policies. He stated, “The whole thing disgusts me and is horrifying, frankly. While I think I would be protected as a citizen, my son and my wife are not US citizens.”
Another dual citizen of the US and Australia shared similar sentiments, indicating that the proposals were “terrifying,” particularly as her family resides in the United States. She expressed her decision to postpone any visits until after the next election, emphasizing the lack of constitutional protections for visa applicants.
Implications of New Regulations
The proposed regulations will require travelers to submit extensive information, including all telephone numbers held over the past five years and email addresses for the last decade. Additionally, authorities plan to collect biometric data, such as fingerprints and iris scans, alongside personal details of family members. Critics, including shadow home affairs minister Jonno Duniam, argue that such measures exceed what should be expected from a democratic nation.
Despite the backlash, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese acknowledged the United States’ right to establish its own entry rules. A spokesperson from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade reiterated that visa conditions are determined by the issuing country. They advised Australians to review the strict US entry requirements thoroughly before planning travel.
As Australians reconsider their travel arrangements, many are opting for destinations such as Canada and Mexico instead of the United States. This trend reflects a larger shift towards cautious travel amid evolving global policies and heightened security measures.
