Introduction to the CBP One App
The CBP One app was initially designed to help people seeking asylum in the United States. It was launched in 2020 and allowed users to schedule appointments at U.S. ports of entry starting in 2023. Between January 2023 and December 2024, over 900,000 people used the app to seek asylum, with the majority coming from Venezuela, Cuba, and Mexico.
What is Asylum?
An asylum seeker is someone who is seeking international protection due to war, persecution, and human rights violations. The CBP One app provided a more organized and legal way for people to apply for asylum. Many people in Houston used the app and were able to enter the country legally.
Changes to the App
The app has been renamed "CBP Home" by the Trump administration and is now part of a $200 million ad campaign aimed at encouraging people without legal status to "Stay Out and Leave Now." The app’s new feature allows users to submit an "intent to depart" by providing biographical information, a picture, and details about their ability to afford departure.
Concerns and Criticisms
Immigration attorney Mana Yegani believes that the repurposed app is an attempt to make up for a shortage of immigration officers. The government’s plan to increase deportation numbers may be hindered by a lack of manpower. It is unclear whether the government will provide financial assistance to those who cannot afford to leave the country.
Increased ICE Presence
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has increased its presence in Houston, with over 100 arrests in a community north of the city and 20 arrests at a warehouse in Spring. ICE has announced a "worst first" approach, prioritizing the arrest of serious criminals. However, at least two people with permission to work in the country have been arrested.
Effectiveness and Future
The effectiveness of the CBP Home app in facilitating self-deportation is uncertain. Yegani doubts that the app will be practical for deportation purposes unless the government cancels all pending asylum cases, which would likely lead to a legal battle.
Conclusion
The CBP One app, initially designed to facilitate asylum seekers’ entry into the United States, has been repurposed to encourage self-deportation. The app’s new features and the government’s increased enforcement efforts have raised concerns among immigration attorneys and advocates. The outcome of this new approach remains to be seen, and its impact on asylum seekers and the immigration system as a whole will likely be significant.
