During the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 47th President of the United States, the CBP One mobile application, a tool used by thousands of migrants to schedule appointments at the border, ceased to be operational.
This event coincided with the reimplementation of stricter migration policies, including the controversial “Remain in Mexico” program.
In this context, some key questions arise: What is CBP One, how did it work, and what are the implications of its cancellation? Here, we explain everything you need to know.
What is the CBP One application?
CBP One is a free application launched by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on October 28, 2020.
The tool allowed migrants to submit personal information and schedule appointments at ports of entry along the southern U.S. border. It was designed to streamline migration processes, avoiding long lines and disorder at border crossings.
To use CBP One, migrants had to:
- Download the app from the App Store or Google Play.
- Create a personal account.
- Enter their personal and family group information.
- Select the port of entry and desired appointment date.
- Take a selfie as part of the verification process.
CBP One allowed for more organized access and facilitated the submission of asylum requests. However, the system also faced criticism due to long waits to secure appointments, which in some cases could take several months.
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Why did Donald Trump cancel the CBP One application?
On January 20, 2025, during his inaugural speech, Donald Trump announced a series of drastic measures to control irregular migration. Among them, he highlighted the suspension of the CBP One application and the reinstatement of the “Remain in Mexico” program. According to Trump, these actions aim to stop what he described as an “invasion” at the southern border and to return millions of irregular migrants to their countries of origin.
Trump stated: “All illegal entries will stop immediately, and we will begin the process of returning millions of illegals to the places they came from.” He also reiterated plans to deploy military personnel to the border to enhance security.
What are the implications of canceling CBP One?
The cancellation of CBP One represents a major setback for migrants who used this tool to manage their entry into the United States in an orderly and legal manner. In border shelters like Juventud 2000 in Tijuana, scenes of distress and desperation unfolded after the announcement that appointments scheduled through the app would no longer be valid. Similar reports came from other regions, such as Sonora, according to several Mexican media outlets.
What other migration measures did Donald Trump announce?
In addition to canceling CBP One, Trump introduced a series of actions aimed at tightening migration policies:
- Reinstatement of the “Remain in Mexico” program: This protocol requires asylum seekers to wait in Mexican territory while their claims are processed.
- Declaration of a national emergency at the border: Trump plans to deploy military personnel to enhance security and prevent irregular entry.
- Designation of cartels as foreign terrorist organizations: This measure seeks to increase sanctions and operations against transnational criminal groups.
These policies have been described as severe by international organizations and foreign governments, including Mexico.
What does Mexico say about the cancellation of CBP One?
The Mexican government, led by Claudia Sheinbaum, expressed its rejection of these unilateral measures. Foreign Minister Juan Ramón de la Fuente stated: “The directive given by the president is to emphasize that this is a unilateral decision made by them, yes, they can do it, but we don’t necessarily agree with it. In fact, we don’t agree.”
Sheinbaum proposed alternatives to the canceled system, such as strengthening the use of the CBP One application to manage asylum requests from southern Mexico or migrants’ countries of origin. Additionally, she announced the “México te abraza” program, which aims to offer comprehensive support to returned migrants, including access to employment, transportation, and healthcare services.
What happens to affected migrants?
With the suspension of CBP One and the implementation of new migration policies, uncertainty prevails at the border. Migrants in cities like Tijuana and Piedras Negras find themselves stranded without a clear path to progress in their asylum processes.
Although some border agents have allowed entry for appointments scheduled before the announcement, most applicants face cancellations and additional obstacles. The lack of clarity regarding the next steps has created widespread frustration and concern among migrant communities.
The cancellation of CBP One marks a significant turning point in U.S. migration policy under Donald Trump’s administration.
