U.S. Representative Ed Case, member of the House Appropriations Committee’s Subcommittee on Homeland Security, has expressed concerns about the proposed rule from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) aimed at expanding the amount of data collected from travelers entering the United States.
The proposal would notably affect travelers from countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), who currently use the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) to visit the United States for short stays without a visa.
In a statement released on March 9, the Hawaii representative warned that the new requirements could significantly alter the travel experience. “These additional requirements represent a fundamental shift in the entry process for lawful travelers to our country,” he said.
According to Case, the measure could also discourage some visitors from traveling to the country. “They would have the effect of chilling a broad range of travel to our country with indiscriminate blanket requirements that would unnecessarily harm key international-travel-related industries such as travel and tourism, education, and trade, especially with our closest allies and partners,” he added.
More personal information for ESTA applicants
Under the proposal discussed by U.S. authorities, travelers could be required to provide additional information when submitting an ESTA application.
Among the elements mentioned are five years of social media history, detailed contact information, biographical data concerning certain family members, and additional biometric identifiers.
These requirements would apply to nationals of the 42 countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program, including several of the United States’ largest tourism markets across Europe and Asia.
In a letter addressed to Kristi Noem, Secretary of Homeland Security, Case acknowledged the importance of ensuring national security while urging caution when modifying entry procedures.
While security enhancements are important, the breadth of these requirements risks creating a perception of complexity, intrusiveness and unpredictability.
Ed Case, U.S. Representative for Hawaii’s 1st Congressional District, March 5, 2026
For now, however, the proposed changes remain under review. Neither the exact scope of the potential ESTA modifications nor a possible timeline for implementation has been finalized.
Hawaii particularly sensitive to changes in entry rules
In his remarks, the congressman emphasized the importance of international tourism to Hawaii’s economy.
According to figures he cited, the islands welcomed approximately 9.6 million visitors in 2025, generating nearly $12 billion in economic activity in Honolulu, supporting 64,000 jobs, and contributing $1.9 billion in tax revenue.
The geographical location of Hawaii, the 50th state of the U.S., largely explains this dependence. Situated in the middle of the Pacific, the archipelago traditionally attracts a large share of international visitors from Asia and Oceania, particularly from Japan, South Korea, and Australia, countries that are among the main participants in the Visa Waiver Program and whose citizens travel to the United States using ESTA authorization.
In that context, Case believes that even a slight deterrent effect could have significant economic consequences for certain U.S. destinations.
For a destination as remote as Hawai‘i, where international visitors must already undertake long-haul travel, even marginal deterrent effects can have disproportionate economic consequences for our state.
Ed Case, U.S. Representative for Hawaii’s 1st Congressional District, March 5, 2026
The representative also stressed that tourism remains a cornerstone of the local economy. “Travel and tourism remain the primary economic driver for Hawai‘i,” he said.
A call to reconsider the proposal
In his letter to the DHS and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Case urged federal authorities to reconsider the proposal.
He called in particular for the planned security measures to be adjusted so they do not discourage legitimate travel to the United States.
“I respectfully urge the Department to reconsider and revise this proposal to ensure that enhanced security measures are narrowly tailored and do not unintentionally deter lawful travel,” he wrote.
The congressman also advocated for consultations with local authorities and stakeholders in the tourism sector before any changes to entry rules are introduced.
Case’s position is not insignificant. The Hawaii Democrat serves on the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, a congressional body that oversees funding and oversight of the Department of Homeland Security and its agencies, including those responsible for administering the ESTA system.
While this role does not allow him to intervene directly in the ongoing regulatory process, it nevertheless gives him influence in the broader political debate surrounding these potential changes, particularly through congressional oversight, hearings, and budget discussions involving the federal agencies responsible for these programs.
