
Faith Nyasuguta
Thousands of migrants, clinging to the hope of starting a new life in the United States, were left devastated when the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) abruptly announced the end of the CBP One app on January 20, 2025. The app, which had served as a vital tool for facilitating legal border crossings since January 2023, was officially discontinued following President Donald Trump’s inauguration.
The app had allowed migrants to schedule appointments at border crossings for legal entry under immigration “parole,” a presidential authority. However, its shutdown not only left countless migrants stranded at border crossings but also canceled tens of thousands of appointments scheduled for months in advance. Those affected included individuals from Haiti, Venezuela, Colombia, Cuba, and beyond, many of whom had endured harrowing journeys to reach the border.
Migrants Left in Limbo
For migrants like Maria Mercado, a Colombian who fled cartel violence decades ago and had most recently sought refuge in Mexico, the shutdown was a crushing blow. Maria, along with her family, had an appointment scheduled for the same day the app was terminated but arrived just four hours too late. Tears filled her eyes as she stared at the United States from Tijuana, knowing her months-long struggle had come to an abrupt halt.

“I’m not asking the world for anything, only God,” she said, standing amidst a sea of migrants who shared her despair. Around her, families hugged, cried, or stared blankly, unsure of their next steps.
The CBP One app had been widely popular among migrants, particularly Venezuelans, Haitians, Cubans, and Mexicans. It provided daily opportunities for 1,450 individuals to secure legal entry through one of eight designated border crossings. Despite glitches in its launch, the app became a cornerstone of the Biden administration’s border strategy, expanding legal pathways for migrants while attempting to curb illegal crossings.
A Chaotic End
The app’s abrupt end, coupled with the reinstatement of the “Remain in Mexico” policy, a holdover from Trump’s first term, has reignited tensions at the border. Under this policy, asylum seekers must wait in Mexico for U.S. immigration court hearings, a process that has left many in limbo for years. Critics of CBP One, who viewed it as an overly generous system attracting migrants to the U.S.-Mexico border, welcomed the shutdown.

Jairol Polo, a 38-year-old Cuban, had spent six months trying to secure an appointment through the app from Mexico City. He finally succeeded, booking a slot for January 22 in Matamoros, across from Brownsville, Texas. However, upon arriving at the border, he learned that his appointment had been canceled. “Imagine how we feel,” he said, visibly dejected.
For those fortunate enough to cross the border before the app was deactivated, there was relief but also uncertainty. Venezuelan migrant Andrum Roman, 28, was among the last group to enter the U.S. via CBP One at Ciudad Juarez, across from El Paso, Texas. “We are a little safer now because we are here,” he said, though he admitted uncertainty about the next steps.
Growing Challenges
CBP One’s termination has left an estimated 280,000 daily users scrambling for alternatives. Migrant shelters in Mexico are now filled with individuals who had relied on the app, tapping their phones daily in the hopes of securing a coveted appointment. The shutdown has caused widespread confusion, with signs at border crossings still instructing migrants to use the now-defunct app.
Observers fear that the absence of CBP One could push desperate migrants to attempt illegal crossings. Matthew Hudak, a retired deputy chief of the Border Patrol, emphasized the importance of pairing the app’s discontinuation with strict enforcement measures like “Remain in Mexico.”

“The message with CBP One being shut down is basically, ‘The doors are not going to be open.’ But for that to be meaningful, there must be consequences for bypassing lawful means,” Hudak explained.
Broken Dreams
For many migrants, the app’s shutdown represents a shattered dream. Juan Andres Rincon Ramos, a 19-year-old Venezuelan, had been filled with hope after securing an asylum appointment through CBP One earlier in January. Living in a makeshift migrant camp in Mexico City, he had endured five years in Peru and seven months in Mexico, longing to reunite with his brother in Pittsburgh.
However, his dream crumbled when he received the notification that his appointment had been canceled. “It was a moment of hope, but it didn’t last,” he said. “Everyone trusted in the American dream, but we were all wrong.”
Broader Implications
The decision to terminate CBP One reflects the Trump administration’s broader immigration policy shift, prioritizing stricter border control measures. While supporters of the app viewed it as a tool for bringing order to the chaos of illegal crossings, critics argued it incentivized migration to the border.

The shutdown has reignited debates over how to address migration challenges at the U.S.-Mexico border effectively. As tens of thousands of migrants remain stranded in Mexico, many are left grappling with an uncertain future. For those who once placed their faith in the CBP One app, the journey toward safety and stability has become even more daunting.
The abrupt end of CBP One marks a significant turning point in U.S. immigration policy, with far-reaching consequences for migrants and border communities alike. As the border crisis continues to unfold, the fate of thousands hangs in the balance, their hopes and dreams dashed by the flicker of a notification on a phone screen.
RELATED: