Britons applying for a US visa must now disclose all social media accounts used in the past five years, under new rules that could lead to entry bans for suspicious posts. The US embassy warns that past alcohol or drug offences, even without convictions, must be declared and may result in permanent ineligibility.
Nita Upadhye, managing attorney at NNU Immigration in London, described the restrictions as the worst in 15 years. Data from US Customs and Border Protection shows a 108% increase in refused entries from 2015 to 2019.
US border agents can now seize and search phones and devices without reason. Refusing to provide passwords can result in entry being barred. Charlotte Slocombe of Fragomen noted that the Department of State also searches online profiles, and suspicious content can trigger further questioning.
In 2017, UK traveller Isabella Brazier-Jones was banned for ten years after border officials found a text admitting cocaine use. Experts advise checking devices and social media before travel, as even casual remarks like 'moving to the US' can cause problems.
