A video posted by a Canadian social media user has sparked fresh chatter online after it was shared on X from TikTok, warning people against travelling to the United States. In the clip, the woman makes a sweeping claim about alleged new entry requirements for visitors, saying, “If you’re planning to visit the US anytime soon, you shouldn’t. You shouldn’t. They’re about to require you to submit your DNA and all of your biometrics and all of your social medias and all of your email addresses and all of your phone numbers and all of your family’s.”
The video was shared with the caption, “If you’re planning to travel to the U.S…you shouldn’t 👇 #boycottamerica #Christmas #trump,” and quickly gained traction, drawing a mix of alarm, skepticism and political commentary in the replies.
While the claims in the video were presented without evidence, the post reflects a growing trend of travel-related fears and boycott calls circulating on social media platforms, particularly around U.S. immigration and border policies.
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The post comes at a time when scrutiny of travelers’ online activity has increasingly become part of U.S. immigration checks. In recent years, U.S. authorities have made it mandatory for certain visa applicants and visitors to disclose their social media handles as part of the screening process — a move, officials say, is aimed at strengthening national security.
The concerns being amplified online also follow a series of concrete policy moves by U.S. authorities that have widened the scope of digital scrutiny for travelers and visa applicants. Under the Trump administration, consular officers were directed to apply tougher checks to H-1B visa applications for highly skilled workers. A cable circulated to U.S. missions on Dec. 2 asked officers to closely review resumes and online profiles not only of H-1B applicants but also of their family members traveling on H-4 visas. Officials were specifically told to flag any past work linked to areas such as misinformation, disinformation, content moderation, fact-checking, compliance or online safety.
The State Department has made clear that this approach is not limited to one visa category. Similar social media vetting is already mandatory for applicants seeking F, M and J visas, which largely cover students and exchange visitors. Emphasizing the security rationale behind the policy, the department said every visa decision is treated as a national security matter and that the United States “must be vigilant” in ensuring applicants intend to follow the terms of their stay.
Earlier this year, the department also announced that student visa appointments would resume, but only under expanded screening rules that include a review of applicants’ online activity. These additional checks now apply across F, M and J visa categories.
Beyond visas, U.S. authorities are weighing an even broader expansion of digital screening at the border. A proposed rule would require foreign travelers’ to disclose their social media activity from the past five years before entering the country. This would include visitors from countries such as Australia, Germany, Japan and the UK, who currently enjoy visa-free travel to the U.S.
According to a notice issued by the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection plans to make social media information a mandatory part of screening for travelers entering under the Visa Waiver Program. The proposal has been opened for a 60-day public comment period before any final decision is taken.