A bold move by the US government has sparked a travel boycott from Australians, with many opting to skip the upcoming World Cup matches in the US. The controversial new rules, proposed by the Trump administration, require visitors to hand over their social media history and personal data, leaving many feeling invaded and disgusted.
The US Customs and Border Protection agency (CBP) published a notice on Tuesday, stating that tourists from 42 countries, including Australia, will need to disclose their social media activity from the past five years. This information, along with comprehensive "high-value data" such as phone numbers, birth dates, and residency details of family members, will be part of the visa waiver application process under ESTA.
But here's where it gets controversial: these rules were formulated in response to an executive order by Donald Trump, which aimed to "protect" the US from visitors with "hostile attitudes" towards its people and principles. This has raised concerns among Australians, who describe the mandate as "horrifying" and "draconian".
And this is the part most people miss: travel data shows that Australians were already avoiding the US even before these detailed rules were announced. Many have altered their travel plans, opting to meet family members in other countries instead of entering the US.
The impact is evident: in 2019, before the Covid-19 pandemic, over 100,000 Australians would regularly visit the US each month. Now, that number has dropped significantly, consistently staying below 50,000. In November, the number of Australians arriving in the US fell to just 45,408, an 11% decrease from the previous year.
Jonathan, a 42-year-old project delivery professional from Sydney, had initially planned to return to the US, his country of birth, for the FIFA World Cup next year. However, he changed his plans several months ago and now feels validated by the recent policy changes. He openly criticizes Trump online and is concerned about the potential risks for his non-US citizen family members, especially his wife who holds Chinese citizenship.
Another dual US-Australian citizen, who wishes to remain anonymous, shares similar sentiments, stating that the proposals are "terrifying" and that she will not visit the US until after the next election. She highlights the lack of constitutional protections for visa applicants overseas, which is a cause for concern.
An Australian resident, also requesting anonymity, confirms that their family of seven will not be attending the World Cup in the US due to the policy changes. Instead, they will limit their travel to Canada and Mexico, feeling that the US administration has become increasingly exclusive and less open.
Under the new rules, border authorities will demand a range of personal information, including telephone numbers, email addresses, and biometric data such as face, fingerprint, DNA, and iris scans. They will also collect the names, addresses, and birth details of family members.
The shadow home affairs minister, Jonno Duniam, criticized the plans, stating that they go beyond what a freedom-loving western democracy would do. However, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese defended the US's right as a sovereign nation to set its own rules.
A spokesperson from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade emphasized that visa conditions are a matter for the issuing country, advising Australians to carefully understand the strict US entry requirements before attempting to enter the country.
