CBP Transforms Asylum-Seeker App into Controversial ‘Self-Deportation’ Tool

In a significant policy shift, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has announced the replacement of the Biden-era CBP One application with a new program called CBP Home. This change, unveiled on Monday, ends the practice that allowed thousands to schedule asylum appointments at U.S. border crossings.

The CBP Home application is designed to enable individuals currently residing unlawfully in the U.S. to communicate their intention to depart voluntarily. This approach aligns with the Trump administration’s strategy to encourage “self-deportation” by making life increasingly difficult for undocumented immigrants.

Originally introduced in 2018, CBP One was intended as a centralized portal for various agency services. However, its role expanded during the transition away from the Trump administration’s Remain In Mexico policy.

Under President Biden, the application facilitated an orderly process for migrants seeking asylum by allowing them to request appointments at border crossings after undergoing background checks. Officials claimed it aimed to promote lawful and safe immigration pathways. In December, they urged migrants to avoid dangerous illegal crossings that contradict U.S. immigration laws.

Previously, appointments through CBP One were restricted, allowing only about 1,250 migrants per day across select crossings, including Nogales, Arizona. Despite these limitations, the app managed to schedule over 936,500 appointments for various nationalities, including Venezuelans, Cubans, and Mexicans, from January 2023 through December 2024.

However, a drastic change occurred on January 20, when the Trump administration canceled all scheduled CBP appointments, leaving some migrants at the Nogales crossing stranded as they were subsequently transported to a detention facility in Eloy, Arizona.

“The CBP Home app strengthens our mission to secure the U.S. border,” stated Pete Flores, acting CBP commissioner. He emphasized that the new app provides a clear mechanism for undocumented individuals to express their desire to leave the country voluntarily, thus fostering enforcement of U.S. immigration laws.

Current estimates suggest that approximately 13.7 million individuals are living unlawfully in the U.S. The Biden administration faces criticism, particularly from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who accused it of abusing CBP processes to permit unlawful entry. This aligns with long-standing concerns voiced by Republicans regarding the administration’s handling of humanitarian parole.

Parole, as defined under U.S. immigration law, allows the temporary admission of individuals to the country without granting permanent status. Historically, it has been used in various humanitarian crises, including assistance for Cuban, Romanian, and Iraqi populations in past decades.

Noem touted the CBP Home app as a means for individuals to depart voluntarily, suggesting this could potentially open avenues for future legal re-entry. Conversely, individuals who do not utilize this option risk deportation and bans from re-entry that can last from five to ten years, with lifetime bans applicable under extreme circumstances.

The concept of self-deportation is not unprecedented. For instance, in 2008, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) launched a pilot program enabling migrants to schedule their departures. Officials characterized it as a compassionate enforcement initiative, offering assistance with travel costs for those voluntarily leaving under existing deportation orders.