FORT LAUDERDALE -- U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) isn't going far enough with its plan to scale back a proposal requiring travelers entering the U.S. from Visa Waiver Program countries to submit five years of social media history, according to the U.S. Travel Association.
"I do expect an amended proposal. I'm disappointed that we're not just ripping it up. I'm disappointed with anything that will further discourage travel in an unnecessary fashion," CEO Geoff Freeman said during an interview here at U.S. Travel's annual IPW conference, which is geared toward attracting more inbound travel to the U.S. "If there were a case to be made that this would fundamentally strengthen America's security, then I would expect to hear security experts out there saying that, but I haven't heard anybody say that."
Earlier at IPW, Matt Davies, an executive director at CBP's office of field operations, said the agency is reviewing 2,000 public comments about the proposal, which was published in the National Register in December, and has faced heavy criticism both abroad and from U.S. travel industry stakeholders.
CBP considering a "more targeted approach"
Davies said that instead of making five years of history a requirement for all individuals seeking approval to travel to the U.S. through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), CBP is considering a more targeted approach in which the amount of social media information that visitors are required to submit is dependent upon the answers they provide as they work through the application process.
He also said any ESTA requirements related to social media aren't likely to be implemented until late this year at the soonest. CBP plans to issue a follow-up federal notice after completing its public comment review, and that notice will trigger a second public-comment period.
Freeman said those 2,000 public comments were the most CBP has ever received for a proposed regulation. In conjunction with requiring social media background checks, the agency has also proposed that incoming travelers from the 42 Visa Waiver Program countries be required to provide additional family background information.
"I have not heard a case made for why we should treat these trusted partners the same way we essentially treat people who need a visa, and as such, we'd like to see the proposal eliminated," he said. "The fact that they're moving to amend it is a step toward our direction. Let's see how far they're willing to go."