Why do they now ask for parent's names on the US ESTA application?
- By
- Aparna Patel
- |
- 22 Jul, 2023
- |
Parents names were added to the ESTA application last year. The DHS Document on this change states that :
With the addition of the new data elements, the Department is better
equipped to identify travelers of interest and distinguish them from
legitimate travelers, thereby improving DHS’s security capabilities
while also facilitating the entry of lawful visitors. In addition to
the enhanced vetting capability, the collection of additional name,
dual citizenship, city of birth, home address, telephone number,
parents’ names, and national identification number data reduces the
likelihood that an applicant with derogatory holdings will be
automatically approved for a travel authorization. All of the
requested employer data is used to identify ESTA applicants who
associate with persons of interest due to law enforcement or security
concerns.
It doesn’t matter if your parents are alive or dead – the question is still relevant and should be answered.
Credit:stackoverflow.com‘