The United States (US) has widened its social-media screening requirements to include nationals from countries under the visa-waiver programme. Previously, this level of scrutiny applied only to travellers from nations that require a visa to enter the US, such as Nigeria.
According to a notice published on the Federal Register by US Customs and Border Protection, the plan would require travellers from countries participating in the visa waiver programme to submit additional personal information as part of their electronic entry application. The move forms part of wider efforts to tighten security screening for foreign visitors.
The US Mission in Nigeria on Monday reaffirmed that the safety and security of the United States remain the cornerstone of its visa application and decision-making process.
They said this following its directive last week that mandates Nigerians to disclose all social media usernames and handles used over the past five years as part of their visa application.
It said Nigerian visa applicants must provide a comprehensive list of their social media profiles on the DS-160 application form, warning that omitting the handles could lead to visa denials.
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Reacting to the development, the Federal Government said U.S. citizens intending to visit Nigeria will be subjected to the same measures
In a statement released on X, the US Mission said prospective visa applicants have to undergo a vetting process to maintain a safe and welcoming environment in the US.
It said,“The safety and security of the United States is at the heart of every #USVisa application and decision process. That’s why prospective applicants undergo careful screening to ensure a safe and welcoming environment for all. These measures help protect American citizens and communities while supporting secure and responsible travel.”
The policy had earlier stated that countries may soon be obliged to submit significantly more personal data to the DHS, including extensive details about their digital footprints and family background.
Read also: US announces visa restriction for Nigerians linked with religious rights abuses
This update was published as a notice by the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in the Federal Register on Wednesday, proposing to collect up to five years’ worth of social media data from tourists hailing from specific visa-waiver countries.
The proposed mandate would target travellers using the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) under the Visa Waiver Programme.
The scheme permits citizens from 42 countries including the United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, Japan, Israel, and South Korea, to visit the US for business or tourism for a duration of up to 90 days without requiring an in-person interview at a US embassy.
“If an applicant does not answer the question or simply does not hold a social media account, the ESTA application can still be submitted without a negative interpretation or inference,” the website stated
Currently, ESTA applications require limited information, such as parents’ names and details of any prior criminal record.
While a question requesting social media data was added in 2016, it has, until now, remained optional.
Digital footprints and biometrics targeted
The new plan significantly expands the scope of information sought by the CBP:
Digital history: The CBP intends to request telephone numbers used over the last five years and email addresses used over the past decade.
Social media: Up to five years of social media history would be collected. The purpose of this scrutiny was not detailed in the official announcement.
Family background and biometrics: The proposal also targets extensive family information, including applicants’ places of birth, along with potential biometric data, which may include fingerprints, DNA, and iris scans.
The announcement did not specify what the administration intends to look for in visitors’ social media accounts.
However, the CBP confirmed the measures comply with an executive order signed by US President Donald Trump in January, which called for heightened screening of individuals entering the US to prevent potential national security threats.
It is noted that travellers from countries outside the Visa Waiver Programme are already required to submit their social media information, a policy first implemented during the initial Trump administration and maintained by the succeeding Biden administration.
The public has a 60-day window to submit formal comments on the proposed changes before they are finalised, as stipulated in the Federal Register notice.
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