New US Entry Rules Could Cripple Las Vegas’ Recovery

• A new Trump Administration proposal threatens to deter even more Vegas vacations from abroad
• The proposal mandates five years of social media disclosure for all foreign visitors — even from counties considered visa-waived
• International tourism to Vegas is already off around 12% year-over-year from 2024

Las Vegas, which received around 5 million of its 40 million annual visitors (12.5%) from 2022-2025 from other countries, is bracing for the possible negative impact of a Trump Administration proposal seeking to dramatically increase scrutiny at US entry points.

The plan, published in the Federal Register by US Customs and Border Protection, would require nearly all incoming travelers to disclose five years of social media history before being allowed into the US. This applies even to visitors from 42 visa‑waived countries including the UK, Israel, Germany, Japan, South Korea and Australia.

Until now, the Electronic System for Travel Authorization — used by citizens of these countries for short stays — included an optional social media question that applicants could skip without a negative interpretation.

However, the new proposal would make the social-media disclosure mandatory to board flights or ships bound for the US.

The proposal also demands disclosure of email addresses, phone numbers, and family details including names, birthdates, and birthplaces of relatives. And it goes even further, leaving open the possibility of collecting biometric data such as facial scans, fingerprints, iris patterns and even DNA samples.

Officials argue the measures are necessary to strengthen national security and prevent potential threats. Critics, however, warn that the sweeping requirements chill free expression, invade privacy and discourage legitimate tourism.

Sophia Cope, senior staff attorney for the Electronic Frontier Foundation, a digital rights group, told the New York Times that it could “exacerbate civil liberties harms.”

Vegas, We’ve Got a Problem

The timing is particularly worrisome for Las Vegas. International visitation to the region shows an overall decline of 12% year-over-year (600,000) compared to 2024. And the new restrictions threaten to undermine recovery hopes for the Strip, which relies heavily on international conventions, entertainment and casino visitation.

The public has 60 days to comment on the proposal before it is finalized.