Planning a trip to the National Rugby League (NRL) showcase in Las Vegas or the 2026 World Cup in the United States? Be cautious: a past social media post criticizing Donald Trump could turn your dream vacation into a nightmare. Andrew Gardiner delves into the growing apprehension among international tourists.
The NRL events team has labeled February’s Las Vegas rugby league showcase as “the ultimate bucket list event,” offering fans the chance to stay at a central 4-star hotel in the City of Lights for $4,499 twin-share. However, before committing to this investment, potential travelers are advised to scrutinize their digital footprints for any content deemed “unacceptable” by current U.S. immigration policies.
Heightened Scrutiny Under Trump Administration
The Trump administration has intensified efforts to pre-screen and monitor visitors, including sports fans, tourists, and students. These measures involve demanding access to a decade’s worth of emails, social media accounts, and personal information for those applying for a 90-day visa waiver or the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).
According to the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC), this 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, highlighting potential issues with social media vetting.
AI Surveillance and Its Implications
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is deploying artificial intelligence tools like Palantir’s Immigration OS to monitor and assess visitors. These technologies allow for mass surveillance, assigning opinions to individuals based on their online behavior, reminiscent of Australia’s controversial RoboDebt scheme.
Fans of the upcoming Las Vegas NRL event, featuring teams like the Dragons and Bulldogs, may find their travel plans thwarted if past social media posts are flagged. Similarly, Socceroos fans attending the 2026 World Cup in the U.S. face rigorous checks.
World Cup Fans and Travel Bans
Patrick Clancy, chair of the Football Supporters Association Australia, expressed concerns over the impact of these policies on civil liberties and fan rights.
“While Australian fans face rigorous checks, supporters from nations such as Iran or Haiti have been denied entry entirely,” Clancy noted.
Recent travel bans imposed by the Trump administration have affected fans from countries like Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire, with Amnesty International accusing the administration of discriminatory practices against certain racial and religious groups.
Impact on International Students
Washington’s AI-driven “Catch and Revoke” initiative has led to the deportation of over 8,000 international students, including Australians, through social media monitoring and automated threat assessments.
Amnesty International’s Erika Guevara-Rosas commented on the climate of fear created by these technologies.
“These technologies enable authorities to swiftly track and target international students and other marginalized groups at an unprecedented scale and scope,” she said.
Phil Honeywood, chief executive of the International Education Association of Australia (IEAA), noted a growing trend among Australian students to seek education opportunities outside the U.S. due to these concerns.
Tourism Decline and Future Prospects
The impact of these policies is evident in declining tourism numbers. Visits to the U.S. have decreased for seven consecutive months, with a 13% drop in Australian visitors in November alone, according to the U.S. National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO).
NTTO forecasts that inbound tourism will not return to pre-COVID levels until 2029, coinciding with the end of a potential second Trump term. Rugby league fans and other tourists might consider postponing their travel plans until then.
As the world watches the unfolding implications of these policies, the future of U.S. tourism remains uncertain, with privacy concerns and political factors playing a significant role in shaping international perceptions.
