US Visitors Face New Travel Restrictions & Expanded Social Media Screening
US Border News Weekly Newsletter
THE WEEK’S US BORDER NEWS IN BRIEF:
In the week of December 14, 2025, the U.S. government accelerated its immigration enforcement and border security measures by expanding travel restrictions, increasing screening, and heightening interior enforcement.
Policy & National Security Updates
Expansion of Travel Restrictions: President Trump issued a new proclamation on December 16, 2025, expanding entry restrictions to a total of 39 nations. New additions to the “full restriction” list include Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, and Syria (as well as individuals with Palestinian Authority-issued travel documents).
Biometric Surveillance: A new “Final Rule” effective December 26, 2025, mandates that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) collect biometric data (facial photos and fingerprints) from nearly all non-U.S. citizens upon both entry and departure.
Visa & Vetting Changes: On December 15, 2025, the administration implemented mandatory social media vetting for H-1B, H-4, and student visa applicants, requiring profiles to be set to public and leading to widespread appointment cancellations.
TPS Terminations: Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem announced the termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Ethiopia on December 12, 2025, following a similar move for Burma in late November.
Border Operations & Infrastructure
Smart Wall Contracts: DHS awarded five new contracts for “Smart Wall” construction in Texas and Arizona, totaling 97 miles of primary wall and 66 miles of waterborne barriers integrated with detection technology.
Encounter Statistics: CBP reported that November 2025 saw record-low border crossings (30,367 total encounters nationwide), continuing a seven-month streak of “zero releases” of illegal aliens into the country.
State-Level Actions: Texas Governor Greg Abbott renewed the state’s Border Security Disaster Proclamation on December 18, 2025, maintaining emergency authorizations for dozens of border counties.
Interior Enforcement & Detention
Airport Arrests: News reports indicate U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is increasingly using TSA flight lists to target and arrest individuals with outstanding deportation orders directly at U.S. airports.
Custody Fatalities: Between December 12 and 15, four individuals died in ICE custody from suspected natural causes at facilities in New Jersey, Georgia, Mississippi, and Pennsylvania.
Legal & Legislative Developments
Lawsuits: On December 12, 2025, 20 states, led by California, filed a lawsuit challenging a new $100,000 fee for certain H-1B visa petitions, alleging it is an illegal overreach.
Congressional Oversight: A federal court ruled on December 17, 2025, that the administration cannot block members of Congress from conducting oversight at federal immigration detention facilities.
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FINALLY, IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:
(Stories covered by US Border News during the past week)
Border Battlefield Report
Thanks to Border Patrol Agents & K-9’s
Six Smuggling Boats Targeted by Navy & Coast Guard in Pacific
With vastly different results
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Abrazos,
Jack Beavers
Outstanding breakdown of the week's border policy shifts. The biometric data collection mandate starting Dec 26 is kinda interesting because it basically turns every port of entry into a permanent surveillence checkpoint. I worked with airport security systems in the past and that scale of facial recognition infrastructure usually creates way more false positives than people realize, especially when rushed processign is the norm. The question isnt just about security but whether this level of tracking becomes normalized for citizens too down the line.
LOL. Of course the members Congress can inspect Federal government facilities. The problem was always lack of respect on their part. The agent involved in one of the incidents said it clearly. Make an appointment and come to the front door like everyone who doesn't work here has to. You won't get into my workplace by behaving like an a**hole either!