The Trump administration officially terminated the CBP One application, which had allowed nearly one million migrants to enter the United States legally. Announced soon after Trump was sworn in, this decision canceled all existing appointments and effectively closed what had become a key pathway for those seeking asylum.
According to Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the application was initially launched to facilitate orderly entry by enabling migrants to schedule appointments at designated border entry points. From January 2023, CBP One provided migrants who lacked proper immigration documents with the opportunity to secure appointments to apply for asylum. It was praised for organizing the flow of individuals at the border and reducing illegal crossings.
Many who were reliant on the app to facilitate their entry were devastated by the decision. Margelis, a Venezuelan woman traveling with her son, broke down at El Paso Norte after learning her scheduled appointment had been canceled. "What do we do now? Where do we go? We don't know anything here," she lamented. She had only recently arrived in Juárez, after six months living in Mexico City, awaiting the confirmation of her appointment.
The abrupt end to CBP One has sent shockwaves through the migrant community along the border, where desperation was palpable among those who had gathered. Yalideth Sánchez, another impacted individual, expressed her disbelief, stating, "It has all happened so quickly. We’re all in shock." These sentiments reflect the collective anxiety among migrants who had traveled through perilous conditions to seek asylum, believing they had finally found a glimmer of hope with their scheduled appointments.
Throughout the latter months of 2023, CBP One was heavily utilized, receiving approximately 280,000 requests daily as migrants sought refuge. Supporters of the app argue it helped to establish order amid the chaos at the border, asserting it allowed authorities to manage the significant influx of asylum seekers who had dramatically increased amid the surge of migration from various regions, including Venezuela and Cuba.
Nonetheless, the prospect of tighter regulations surrounding asylum applications has emerged as Trump advocates for stringent immigration measures. "The application was too generous," critics claimed, with many expressing concerns it acted as a magnet for more migrants to flock to the border. A peak usage of the app saw over 1,450 daily appointments against overwhelming demand, underscoring the system's popularity before its unexpected termination.
The operational closure was part of broader pledges made by Trump during his campaign, which included promises to reinforce border security and tighten asylum protocols. Speculation is rampant about what strategies might fill the void left by the app's discontinuation. Some believe Trump’s administration might introduce new systems or even revert to controversial programs such as “Remain in Mexico,” where migrants were required to stay south of the border during their asylum processes.
The reaction has been swift, with many migrants unsure of their next steps. Odalys Fundicheli, originally from Cuba, found her scheduled appointment canceled too. "We feel so frustrated and powerless," she explained, as she awaited the opportunity to reunite with her daughter living in Dallas. Tears streamed down her granddaughter Lia's face, reflecting the heartbreak many are experiencing.
Trump's first day as president triggered not only the end of CBP One but also brought forward executive orders aimed at advancing similar restrictive immigration policies. His administration plans to deploy troops to the southern border and declare emergencies to facilitate his stringent immigration stance. Amid this uncertainty, migrants find themselves trapped, queued outside the border facilities, wondering what will become of their dreams for asylum.
The case of CBP One serves as a poignant reminder of the fragile state of immigration policy, heavily influenced by political currents. The hope many had harbored for relief and asylum now feels more elusive than ever. It's unclear what future measures might be enacted to guide migrants, leaving many stranded and anticipating the next chapter of this fluid situation, desperate for answers.
The closing of the application undoubtedly reflects the intensity of the current political climate around migration, but for those enduring the realities at the border, it marks the beginning of renewed uncertainty, with the specter of increased deportations looming large and fears of returning home becoming all too real.