As international tourists plan their trips to major events like the NRL in Las Vegas or the World Cup Soccer, a new wave of stringent U.S. travel restrictions could turn these dream vacations into nightmares. The potential for being detained or deported due to past social media activity is raising alarms among travelers. Andrew Gardiner delves into the complexities of this emerging issue.
The announcement of the NRL’s Las Vegas showcase as “the ultimate bucket list event” comes with a hefty price tag of $4,499 for a twin-share package. However, potential attendees are warned to scrutinize their digital footprints from the past decade. Any content deemed critical of former President Donald Trump or his policies could result in being sent back home or, worse, detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Enhanced Vetting and Privacy Concerns
The Trump administration’s intensified efforts to pre-screen tourists, students, and business travelers have led to controversial demands for personal information. This includes a decade’s worth of email addresses, phone numbers, family details, and more for those applying for the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).
According to the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC), this new vetting regime raises significant privacy concerns.
“The administration has gone after people who espouse views it doesn’t like,” said Jeramie Scott, EPIC’s lead counsel. “You can imagine there are some similar problems that you may have with emails that you would find in their social media vetting.”
The Role of Artificial Intelligence
ICE’s use of artificial intelligence tools like Palantir’s Immigration OS and Babel X has sparked further debate. These technologies enable mass surveillance and arbitrary assessment of visitors’ opinions based on their online behavior. This approach has drawn comparisons to Australia’s controversial RoboDebt scheme.
Fans of the NRL teams and Socceroos supporters planning to attend the World Cup in the U.S. face rigorous checks. Patrick Clancy, chair of the Football Supporters Association Australia, expressed concern over the impact on civil liberties and fan rights.
“This policy represents the ‘thin edge of the wedge’ regarding civil liberties and fan rights,” Clancy stated.
Global Implications and Reactions
The travel restrictions have broader implications, affecting fans from countries like Iran, Senegal, and Côte d’Ivoire, which have faced partial travel bans. Amnesty International has accused the Trump administration of discriminatory practices against these nations.
Australia’s 5,000 students in the U.S. are also advised to exercise caution. AI technologies specifically target expressions of sympathy for Palestinians, which are more likely to be encountered among students at prestigious universities than rugby league fans in Las Vegas.
The Impact on International Students
Washington’s AI-driven “Catch and Revoke” scheme has led to the deportation of over 8,000 international students. Amnesty International’s Erika Guevara-Rosas highlighted the climate of fear this creates.
“These technologies enable authorities to swiftly track and target international students and other marginalized migrant groups at an unprecedented scale,” she said.
Phil Honeywood, chief executive of the International Education Association of Australia, noted a growing trend among students considering alternatives to studying in the U.S. due to privacy and safety concerns.
The Decline in U.S. Tourism
The impact of these policies is evident in the declining number of tourists visiting the U.S. Visits have decreased for seven consecutive months, with a notable 13 percent drop in Australian visitors compared to the previous year. The National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO) does not anticipate a full recovery to pre-COVID levels until 2029, coinciding with the end of a potential second Trump term.
As travelers weigh their options, the allure of the U.S. as a tourist destination is being overshadowed by concerns over privacy and civil liberties. For many, the risk of detention or deportation may outweigh the appeal of attending high-profile events in the “Land of the Free.”
