PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release
December 11, 2025
Contact: press@alianzaamericas.org / (773) 638-4278
Chicago, IL. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced in the Federal Registry that it will require additional information on the application CBP Home, form I-94 to register entries and exits, and on the electronic system for travel authorizations (ESTA). The information required includes biometric data, social media information, phone numbers, email addresses, physical addresses, and names and information of family members.
Alianza Americas rejects this measure, which is a threat to the human rights of foreigners visiting the United States. As a network of migrant-led organizations from Latin America and the Caribbean in the U.S., we condemn that, once more, foreigners are being demonized under a dangerous perspective rooted in xenophobia.
The government is attempting to legitimize inappropriate information requests about a foreigner’s social media and family members to deny them entry to the country, claiming national security reasons. These measures violate the First and Fourth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution. Freedom of expression, thought, and information are essential to a democratic system. Expressing critical views of the government does not make a person a terrorist or a national or public security threat. On the contrary, critical dissent is an essential element of the democratic debate. Denying a person entry for expressing criticism of a government's policies or its leaders is a violation of freedom of expression. Following social media opinions, with which a person may agree or disagree is part of the legitimate exercise of the freedom of thought and information.
Additionally, the government is taking on a big responsibility by requesting biometric information. It must explain how it will store it and for what purposes it will be used. DHS should focus on the real threats to the country's national security, rather than scapegoating foreigners.
These changes are part of a broader set of measures the Trump administration is implementing to curb the entry of foreigners. There are two important impacts of these measures on the U.S. and its international role. First, they disincentivize international tourism, an important source of revenue for the country. Second, the impact on the functioning of multilateral organizations with headquarters in the U.S.
Alianza Americas is deeply concerned with the impact of these measures on the functioning and activities of the United Nations (UN) in New York and the Organization of the American States (OAS) in Washington. The U.S. does not fulfill anymore the conditions for being the headquarter of these intergovernmental organizations.
It is urgent and a priority, for the UN and the OAS to advance headquarter agreements with other State where it is possible for both governmental officials without diplomatic Passports, civil society, and directly impacted individuals, including victims of human rights violations, to travel and participate in conferences, meetings and hearings, among others, that take place in their headquarters.
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Alianza Americas is a transnational network of migrant-led organizations in the United States. We advocate for social justice, equity and human rights in the Americas.
