HOUSTON, Texas — President Donald Trump recently terminated the CBP One app, causing uncertainty for many migrants and asylum seekers.
The app, which was a key tool for scheduling appointments for legal entry into the United States, was used by migrants like Jesús, a cook in Houston, whose wife and two children have been waiting in Mexico for five months. The family had hoped to secure an appointment to reunite with Jesús.
Jesús, originally from Venezuela, arrived in Houston a year ago after using the app to schedule his own appointment.
The app had been mandatory for most asylum seekers since May 2023 under the Biden administration. It provided a way for individuals to request legal entry into the U.S.
Former President Biden had already taken steps in June 2024 to restrict asylum access, barring most individuals from seeking asylum between official ports of entry.
The CBP One app had provided an avenue for some continued access to asylum requests, but that is no longer available.
Immigrant rights organizations have expressed concerns over the termination of the app, warning that it could lead to further complications for asylum seekers.
Abby Maxman, president and CEO of Oxfam America, stated that the end of the app and other changes to border policies may increase risks for migrants, including family separations and exploitation by criminal organizations.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has filed a legal challenge to restore access to the asylum process through the CBP One app.
Additionally, the Trump administration has signaled plans to reinstate the “Remain in Mexico” policy, which requires asylum seekers to wait in Mexico for their U.S. court hearings.
The policy, which was previously ended by the Biden administration, may face legal and logistical challenges, including Mexico’s cooperation.
In Reynosa, Mexico, migrants who had been relying on the CBP One app expressed disappointment over the change.
Many, including 54-year-old “R” from Honduras, who fled gang threats, said the news of the app’s termination was a setback after months of waiting.
Similarly, 38-year-old “I” from El Salvador, waiting with her 12-year-old son, expressed hopes that the U.S. administration would recognize their plight.
Carlos Duarte, a journalist from Honduras who arrived in Houston after a year of waiting, said the cancellation of the app has negatively impacted many others who were still waiting.
Delmy, a 40-year-old woman from Honduras, entered the U.S. just days before the app was shut down and expressed empathy for those still waiting for a chance to apply for asylum.
Jesús, still in Houston, remains hopeful that another program will emerge to reunite him with his family. His primary goal remains clear: to reunite with his wife and children.
