Closure of the CBP One Program: Implications and Reactions

On January 20, 2025, newly inaugurated President Donald Trump issued an executive order ending the CBP One program, a mobile app implemented during the Biden administration to manage appointments at the U.S.-Mexico border. The decision marks a significant shift in U.S. immigration policy and has triggered a wave of reactions and concerns about its implications.

Background on the CBP One Program

The CBP One program, launched in 2021, allowed migrants to schedule appointments at ports of entry to request asylum or submit humanitarian entry applications. The app processed approximately 1,450 appointments per day across eight border crossings.

Recent Immigration Statistics

To put the situation in context, it is worth considering recent immigration statistics:

• According to a document from the Republican Policy Committee, more than 2.2 million foreign nationals were admitted into the country under various humanitarian programs during the Biden-Harris administration.
• It is estimated that around 1 million migrants used the CBP One app since its launch.

Next Steps and Alternatives

The Trump administration has indicated it plans to implement new measures to manage immigration at the southern border. Among the proposals mentioned are:

1. Strengthening the National Guard's presence at the border.
2. Speeding up removal proceedings.
3. Negotiating agreements with countries of origin to reduce migration flows.
4. Designating cartels and gangs as foreign terrorist organizations.

However, no concrete plan has yet been announced to replace the appointment system that CBP One provided.

Illegal immigration has come at an enormous cost, heightening tensions in communities through increased crime and violence, straining government resources, and worsening the cost-of-living crisis.

As this situation develops, it will be crucial to watch how the new administration addresses the logistical and humanitarian challenges arising from this decision, and how it will affect migration dynamics in the region over the long term.