New U. S. Travel Rules Raise Eyebrows

The U. S. is tightening its travel rules. Starting soon, visitors from 42 countries, mostly in Europe, will have to share their social media handles from the past five years. This change is part of a broader effort to increase security checks for travelers entering the U. S. The new rules also ask for a lot of personal information. Travelers will need to provide all email addresses used in the last decade, as well as details about family members, including names, birth dates, and places of birth. This is a significant increase in the amount of data required from visitors. The U. S. Travel Association is not happy about these changes. They worry that the new rules could make travel to the U. S. more complicated and less appealing. The group is working with the government to address their concerns. Some people are comparing the new rules to those in other countries. For example, one expert pointed out that even China doesn't ask for as much information as the U. S. is now requiring. This has led to criticism that the rules might be too strict. The U. S. is set to host the World Cup in 2026, which is expected to bring in many tourists. However, these new rules could make it harder for people to visit the country. This is a concern for businesses that rely on tourism. President Trump has defended the new rules, saying they are necessary to keep the country safe. He was asked if the rules might reduce tourism, but he did not directly address that concern. At the same time, the U. S. is also introducing a new program that allows people to pay for permanent residency. For $1 million, people can get a "gold card" that fast-tracks their application. A "platinum card" for $5 million is also in the works.