Staff Reports
The debacle of the Biden administration’s approach to border security continues with the rollout of an app-slathered invitation to illegal immigration. Dubbed CBP One, this clever little gadget was sold as a way to streamline the entry of undocumented entrants into the United States. Instead of facing the traditional wait at the southern border—like everyone else trying to enter the country legally—migrants were given a shiny digital option to enter America, as if they were booking a flight on an airline rather than crossing a sovereign border.
The app allowed nearly a million undocumented individuals to schedule appointments at border ports of entry, all while waving their hands and saying “abracadabra.” Once Trump took office, though, that was game over for CBP One. Trump put his foot down and announced that anyone magically allowed into the U.S. via this ridiculous app would be sent packing, promptly. This not-so-brilliant tech decision by the previous administration may as well have been setting a buffet table for border jumpers.
The Department of Homeland Security quickly caught wind of this flubbed initiative and adjusted its little app to a new name: CBP Home. A message went out alerting those who had managed to waltz their way into the U.S. that their “parole status” was being terminated. It wasn’t a gentle nudge, either; it was more of a digital kick out the door. Self-deportation was the name of the game, and a not-so-subtle threat was included for those who chose to ignore the message. It included the classic line: “We will find you.” The federal government apparently still has experience playing hide and seek.
The DHS stood firm, stating that the decision to revoke parole represented a promise kept to the American people to regain control over the nation’s borders. Land of the free or land of the conveniently app-based entry? The latter did not hold up very well under scrutiny, especially when coupled with the delicious irony that tech-savvy strategies can sometimes create greater embarrassment than efficiency.
Biden's Border App Backfires, Nearly 1 Million Users Ordered to Leave US Immediately: Users are being given orders to leave the country immediately. https://t.co/tSbHs1YpPE pic.twitter.com/jWK53QVJy9
— The Western Journal (@WestJournalism) April 9, 2025
The question remains whether the order to terminate these entries will withstand legal challenges. When considering the countless illegal protections Biden has attempted to impose on specific groups, such as Venezuelans, the odds appear shaky. Luckily, terminating the residence of those who entered via CBP One should be a more straightforward process. Yet one thing is certain: the app fiasco is a prime example of the kind of “brilliant” ideas that can emerge in a technologically preoccupied administration.
While the DHS touted the report feature that encouraged self-deportation, it was almost as if they enjoyed the chaos of a poorly executed digital plan. Noem’s comments about how the app could give undocumented immigrants “the opportunity to return legally” pack more irony than a stand-up routine. After all, what happens when this technology fails to be the magical carpet ride they expected?
The app’s fallacy and the ability to engulf illegal immigration in a digital embrace simply showcased the perils of bypassing traditional systems. As the Biden administration tries to leave behind another layer of rubble from app-based governance, it looks like a reminder has been sent out—bringing folks to their senses as they self-deport all the way back to their home countries. Whoops indeed; when it comes to the U.S. border, technology and legality are best left in their lanes.
