Australians are increasingly avoiding travel to the US, with many canceling plans and boycotting the World Cup in the US next year due to new social media declaration rules. The Trump administration's proposal, which requires visitors to provide their social media history over the past five years, has sparked outrage among Australians. The US Customs and Border Protection agency's announcement on Tuesday has led to a significant drop in travel plans, with Australians describing the mandate as 'horrifying' and 'draconian'.
The new rules, which are part of a 60-day review before implementation, are a response to an executive order made by Donald Trump on his inauguration day in January. The order aims to 'protect' the US by denying visas to those with 'hostile attitudes' towards its citizens and institutions. However, many Australians are concerned about the potential impact on their families, including dual citizens and non-citizens.
Travel data shows a noticeable decline in US visits, with only 45,408 Australians arriving in November, a 11% decrease from the previous year. Jonathan, a Sydney resident, had planned to attend the World Cup in the US but decided to cancel due to the new policy. He expressed his disgust, highlighting the risk to his family, especially his non-citizen wife and son.
Another dual citizen, who wished to remain anonymous, shared similar concerns, stating that the proposals are 'terrifying' given her family's ties to the US. The anonymous speaker also mentioned the potential implications for people already in the US, suggesting that the new rules could have broader negative consequences.
The shadow home affairs minister, Jonno Duniam, criticized the plans as going 'beyond what a freedom-loving' western democracy would do. However, the Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, defended the US's right to set its own rules, while a department of foreign affairs and trade spokesperson advised Australians to be aware of the strict US entry requirements.
