US could ask foreign tourists for five-year social media history before entry

Tourism, World Cup, and Economic Impact

• Many expect the policy to further depress already-declining US tourism; anecdotes cite “ghost town” Vegas, falling Florida rentals, and Canadians skipping winter trips.
• Several predict that parts of the 2026 World Cup in the US will suffer from fans avoiding US-hosted matches, choosing Mexico/Canada instead.
• Some argue the US seems willing to sacrifice tourism (a small share of GDP overall but large in specific states) for ideological or “America for Americans” goals.

Border Power, Rights, and Abuse Allegations

• Multiple comments stress that foreign visitors have no right of entry and can be refused arbitrarily.
• One detailed anecdote describes severe mistreatment by US border officers after asserting the right to remain silent, including long detentions, invasive searches, and allegedly falsified warrants; others express skepticism but also note such stories are hard to verify and easy to dismiss.
• There’s a recurring theme that asserting formal rights at the border can result in retaliation, even for citizens.

Surveillance, Social Media, and Lying Risks

• Many believe the US already tracks online accounts via data brokers, logs, and intelligence programs; the form is seen as a way to catch lies rather than discover new information.
• People worry what “social media” includes (HN, GitHub, Discord, business accounts) and note that omissions or inaccuracies can become prosecutable.
• Those with little or no social media fear being treated as suspicious; others say simply telling the truth has worked for them.

Free Speech, Ideological Screening, and Israel

• Strong concern that “national security” and “unlawful antisemitic harassment” language will be used to exclude critics of Israel, Muslims, leftists, and anti‑fascists, while other hate (e.g., anti‑Black) gets less emphasis.
• Some argue this is a backdoor method of punishing otherwise legal political speech; others reply that countries may legitimately screen out visitors whose values they oppose.
• Long subthreads compare US “free speech” rhetoric to UK/EU hate-speech and incitement laws, with disagreement over which is more repressive.

Comparisons and Human Consequences

• Debate over whether US rules are uniquely harsh; some point to strict Schengen visas and treatment of African or Israeli‑stamped passports elsewhere.
• Others focus on the chilling effect: people cancel conferences and holidays, avoid transiting via the US, or vow not to return.
• One story describes Mexican relatives repeatedly denied visas, even on humanitarian grounds to visit a dying uncle, fueling deep resentment toward US immigration policy.

Tech Platforms and National Security Justifications

• Commenters connect this move to broader cooperation between US agencies and major tech platforms for mass surveillance, censorship, and “narrative shaping.”
• “National security,” “terrorism,” and “protecting children” are seen as catch‑all justifications used to pass intrusive measures that would otherwise face more resistance.