Staff Reports
Former President Joe Biden’s administration established a curious little gadget known as the CBP One app, which served as a virtual doorway for illegal migrants to request access to the United States. Over the past two years, this app was used more than an astounding 166 million times. It allowed an unknown number of would-be asylum seekers to request an appointment with immigration officials at ports of entry, thus bypassing the usual restrictions that would have kept them firmly on the Mexican side of the border. The app, in true Biden fashion, was a prime example of how to redefine “border security” by making it more about easing entry than preventing illegal crossings.
The chickens have finally come home to roost, as President Trump wasted no time on his first day back in office by yanking the CBP One app off the grid. With an executive order promising to tighten the noose around the southern border, the app that so graciously paved the way for nearly 1 million newcomers during Biden’s tenure has been put on ice, and those happy little migrants dreaming of entering the U.S. may soon find their hopes dashed.
As expected, Trump administration ended CBP ONE app, a legal pathway to enter U.S. to make case for asylum. Local residents on Mexican side expect consequences will be even more migrants entering without documents by scaling over 30-foot walls like this one.. pic.twitter.com/AdnXM8j7oG
— Alfredo Corchado (@ajcorchado) January 20, 2025
As of recent reports, around 270,000 migrants were already waiting just south of the border for their chance to use this now-defunct app to enter the United States. The app, once a symbol of accessibility for those seeking asylum, is now more like a museum exhibit showcasing how the previous administration’s misguided policies led to a massive influx of people who, under normal circumstances, would have never passed through the proverbial gates. The absurdity reached new heights when it was revealed that these migrants had been repetitively trying to secure one of the measly 1,450 appointments allowed each day while waiting in line like customers at a DMV where the system is perpetually down.
With the app now shut down, those tens of thousands who were hoping to rush into the U.S. might as well go ahead and make themselves comfortable in Mexico. The cancellation of appointments means they’ll have to find new means of entry, which may not be as welcoming as their previous experiences with CBP One. Migrants who once thought they would enjoy a smooth sailing process into America are instead left holding the proverbial bag. Imagine thinking you were going to be ushered into the country, only to be met with radio silence and a broken app.
The announcement of the app’s demise was met with some surprise by eager migrants and their vocal advocates, despite clear warnings from Trump and South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, who’s a frontrunner for Secretary of Homeland Security. Noem made it perfectly clear during her confirmation hearing that CBP One would be terminated promptly. The cancellation of advance appointments is a grim reminder that, unlike a game of musical chairs, there are strict rules at the border—and they will no longer be dictated by tech-savvy apps or federal suggestions enjoyed during Biden’s time.
Whether or not the app will resurrect in a slightly less liberal version remains to be seen. Still, one thing is for certain: if the past two years taught anything, it’s that a border isn’t merely a line on a map but rather a guideline for restraint and order—qualities that were sorely missing under the previous administration. With Trump setting the sails in a northward direction, America can look forward to a more secure southern border, one where the emphasis is on protection rather than open invitations.
