Migrants at the border between Mexico and the United States are desperate following the announcement on January 20 of the cancellation of the CBP One mobile app for requesting appointments and asylum in U.S. territory.
In Ciudad Juárez, dozens of migrants were waiting at 1:00 p.m., the time when their appointments for parole through the application were scheduled, and just 20 minutes before they were to enter, they found out that the application had closed and that their appointments were no longer valid.
In the midst of her despair, Margelis Tinoco, 48 years old and originally from Colombia, broke down in tears upon seeing the notification from the application and was asking God why this was happening; around her was a line of migrants who, like her, were unable to attend their appointment.
While Donald Trump was delivering his inaugural address as the 47th President of the United States, the CBP One application was canceled, which during Joe Biden's administration allowed the entry of over 900,000 migrants into the country.
When entering the mobile application, the following announcement appears: "Starting January 20, 2025, the functions of CBP One that previously allowed undocumented foreigners to submit information in advance and schedule appointments at eight ports of entry along the southwest border are no longer available, and existing appointments have been canceled. For further inquiries, please contact the CBP Office of Public Affairs."
With this information, not only does the CBP One application stop functioning, but all appointments that had already been scheduled are automatically canceled and rendered null and void.
This Monday, Donald Trump began his second term with an iron fist by signing 10 decrees, including a declaration of National Emergency to mobilize personnel from the Department of Defense and the National Guard to strengthen border control with Mexico.
Also, the reinstatement of the Stay in Mexico program was approved, a policy first implemented in 2019 that requires asylum seekers to wait in Mexican territory while their cases are processed in the United States.
Another program expected to come to an end following Donald Trump's inauguration is the humanitarian parole that benefits Cubans, Venezuelans, Haitians, and Nicaraguans.
Frequently asked questions about the closure of the CBP One application and Trump's immigration policies
Why has the CBP One application been closed?
The administration of Donald Trump has shut down the CBP One application as part of its new immigration policy, aimed at restricting the entry of migrants into the United States. Upon assuming his second term, Trump signed an executive order that eliminates this tool which had been used by more than 900,000 migrants to schedule asylum appointments at the border.
What are the alternatives for migrants after the closure of CBP One?
With the closure of CBP One, the legal options for entering the United States have diminished. Migrants now have to wait for new government guidelines or seek other legal avenues for asylum. The "Remain in Mexico" policy has been reinstated, forcing asylum seekers to stay in Mexican territory while their cases are processed in the United States.
How does the closure of CBP One affect Cuban migrants?
The closure of CBP One significantly affects Cuban migrants, as the application was one of the main ways to apply for asylum in the United States. With the elimination of this tool, Cubans, along with Venezuelans, Haitians, and Nicaraguans, lose a crucial option to regularize their immigration status under the humanitarian parole program, which is also at risk of being eliminated.
What is the "Stay in Mexico" program and how does it affect asylum seekers?
The "Stay in Mexico" program requires asylum seekers to wait in Mexican territory while their cases are processed in the United States. This policy, reinstated by Trump, aims to reduce the number of migrants entering the United States while their applications are being resolved, increasing the pressure on transit countries in the region.
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