A policy proposed by the Department of Homeland Security requiring athletes and tourists to submit to a review of five-years of their social media history may discourage or outright prohibit athletes and tourists from traveling to Los Angeles for June's World Cup Games, according to an opinion piece published in The Washington Post .
Stewart Verdery, who worked in Homeland Security as the first Assistant Secretary for Policy and Planning, wrote the opinion piece. What he’s referring to is a notice published by the department on Dec. 10, 2025, suggesting a rule requiring visitors from nations that have visa-free entry to the U.S. to submit additional personal data, including up to five years of social media history.
KNX News’ Craig Fiegener spoke with Mayor Karen Bass, who says the new rule could affect L.A.’s economy and scare people out of coming to the World Cup.
“We need to have the most spectacular World Cup games ever in the Los Angeles area and all the other cities throughout the country,” she said. “And it is certainly my hope and my belief that the Trump administration feels the same way and will do everything possible and I think it needs to begin with the review of that policy because the last thing in the world we want is to discourage athletes, to discourage countries at the time when we're inviting the world to come in here. People need to know that they can enter and leave the U.S. freely. We need the economic engine in the city of Los Angeles.”
It's projected that the World Cup will draw at least 190,000 athletes and tourists.
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