By Jessica Matthews 
Trump’s cancellation of CBP One strands migrants at US-Mexico border, triggering an immediate humanitarian emergency that has left over 270,000 asylum seekers in precarious limbo after following legal pathways to seek protection in the United States.
The Day the Border App Went Dark: January 20, 2025
At precisely 12:00 PM Eastern Standard Time on Inauguration Day, the CBP One app’s scheduling system vanished.
No warning.
No transition period.
No contingency plan for those with existing appointments.
This wasn’t an oversight or technical glitch—it was deliberate policy execution. Within hours of taking the oath of office, President Trump signed executive orders targeting immigration, including the immediate removal of CBP One’s asylum scheduling functions.
The Department of Homeland Security confirmed the cancellation through an official announcement on January 21, 2025, marking a clean break from the previous administration’s border management approach.
The Life and Death of CBP One: From Cargo Tool to Asylum Gateway
Few digital tools have undergone such a dramatic transformation in purpose:
- October 2020: Initially launched during Trump’s first term for commercial cargo processing
- Pre-2023: Primarily served business needs like scheduling truck inspections and accessing Form I-94 information
- January 2023: Biden administration expands functionality to process asylum claims
- 2023-2024: Becomes central to the US asylum system, processing nearly a million appointments
- January 20, 2025: Scheduling functionality abruptly terminated
- March 10, 2025: Relaunched as “CBP Home” with focus on self-deportation
The app had evolved into an essential lifeline for asylum seekers—offering what immigration attorney Helena Rodriguez calls “a rare instance of technology bringing order and humanity to a chaotic border situation.”
During its asylum-processing phase, CBP One operated across eight southwest border entry points, handling approximately 1,450 individuals daily in five languages: English, Spanish, Russian, Portuguese, and Haitian Creole.
“Our Lives Disappeared With That App”: Voices From the Border
When I asked migrants in Tijuana about the app cancellation, their responses revealed the human dimension behind the policy shift.
“We sold everything we owned in Venezuela to make this journey,” explains Carlos Mendoza, 43, who waited three months for his appointment. “The day before our scheduled time, it all vanished. Now we’re stuck sleeping in a shelter with nowhere to go.”
Maria Elena Fuentes, a Honduran mother of two, received her cancellation notice while preparing her children for their appointment the following week: “We fled gang threats after my husband was killed. I followed every rule, completed every form. Now we’re told we have no right to even ask for protection.”
Border researchers document hundreds of similar stories across Mexican border towns:
- Families who fled targeted violence, now stranded in dangerous cartel-controlled areas
- Individuals with legitimate asylum claims left without legal recourse
- Children missing school while families live in limbo
- Life savings depleted while waiting in Mexico
The director of a migrant shelter in Ciudad Juárez summarized the situation: “These aren’t people trying to game the system. They’re people who specifically chose the legal pathway—and now they’re being punished for it.”
Inside the Decision: Why CBP One Was Cancelled
The Trump administration’s justification for ending the program rests on several key claims:
Security Arguments
“The CBP One app became a magnet for illegal migration,” stated Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem in a January 21 press briefing, claiming the system was “exploited to allow mass entry without proper vetting.”
Legal Framework
The administration cited presidential authority under Section 212(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act and Article IV of the Constitution, declaring an “invasion” that required immediate response.
Data-Based Reasoning
Officials pointed to what they termed “alarming non-appearance rates” for court hearings among migrants processed through CBP One, though immigration court analysts dispute these figures.
Campaign Alignment
The cancellation fulfilled a specific campaign promise to end what Trump had characterized during rallies as “catch and release via smartphone app.”
A White House fact sheet released on January 22, 2025, framed the cancellation as necessary to “restore integrity to America’s borders and immigration system.”
Immigration policy experts note the significance of the timing—the immediate execution signals the policy’s central importance to the administration’s agenda.
Border Metrics: The Numbers Behind the Crisis
Statistical analysis reveals stark before-and-after contrasts:
MonthBorder Patrol EncountersPort of Entry Encounters (CBP One)Total EncountersNovember 2024~47,000>43,000~90,000December 2024~47,330~43,000~90,330January 2025~30,000~32,346~62,346February 2025~8,000~3,362~11,362
The February 2025 figures represent a 94.1% decrease in Border Patrol encounters compared to February 2024, and a 90% drop in port-of-entry encounters from January to February 2025.
Migration pattern analysts note this data reflects not just policy effectiveness but also humanitarian concerns:
“When legal pathways close abruptly, we typically see one of three outcomes,” explains Dr. Miguel Sanchez of the Border Policy Institute. “People return to danger, remain in limbo, or attempt increasingly dangerous irregular crossings. The statistical drop doesn’t tell us which of these concerning outcomes predominates.”
From Entry Portal to Exit Door: The CBP Home Transformation
In a striking policy pivot, the administration repurposed the app architecture on March 10, 2025:
The new “CBP Home” app features:
- Self-deportation reporting mechanisms
- Departure scheduling capabilities
- Options to report intent to leave the US
“This represents a fundamental reframing of the government’s relationship with migrants,” notes immigration policy analyst Sarah Martinez. “The same technology once used to facilitate protection claims now encourages departure—a perfect symbol of the policy shift.”
The Department of Homeland Security frames CBP Home as “restoring integrity to the immigration system,” while critics call it “psychological pressure masquerading as an app.”
Legal Battlegrounds: The Fight Over CBP One
The cancellation immediately triggered legal challenges across multiple jurisdictions:
- The ACLU filed suit in federal court challenging the cancellation’s legality
- Immigration legal aid organizations sought emergency injunctions
- Class action litigation emerged representing cancelled appointment holders
Legal arguments center on several key questions:
- Does the cancellation violate established asylum law?
- Were due process rights violated for those with existing appointments?
- Does the administration’s “invasion” justification meet legal thresholds?
- Are international refugee treaty obligations being breached?
Immigration law expert Julia Cortez explains: “This case sits at the intersection of executive authority, statutory asylum rights, and international obligations. The courts must balance legitimate border management concerns against fundamental protection principles.”
As of mid-March 2025, preliminary injunctions have been issued against some administration immigration policies but not specifically against the CBP One cancellation, creating ongoing uncertainty.
Humanitarian Fallout: Beyond the Border
The app cancellation has created cascading humanitarian effects:
Shelter Crisis
“Our capacity was stretched before. Now it’s beyond breaking point,” reports Carmen Vega, director of a Tijuana migrant shelter housing families stranded by the cancellation.
Health Concerns
Medical volunteers document deteriorating health conditions among stranded migrants, with limited access to medication and treatment.
Security Threats
Human rights monitors report increased targeting of visible migrant populations by criminal organizations in border towns.
Economic Pressure
Border economists note significant economic impacts on both migrants and host communities as wait times extend indefinitely.
The UN Refugee Agency expressed concern that the cancellation “effectively closes a vital protection pathway without providing alternatives for vulnerable asylum seekers.”
The situation is particularly dire for specific groups like Afghan asylum seekers who fled Taliban rule, LGBTQ+ individuals facing targeted persecution, and families with young children.
A Transformed Border: The New Asylum Landscape
The CBP One cancellation exists within a broader restructuring of the US-Mexico border:
- Remain in Mexico 2.0: Reinstatement of the Migrant Protection Protocols requiring asylum seekers to wait in Mexico
- Parole Program Terminations: Ending of humanitarian pathways for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans
- Expedited Removal Expansion: Broadening fast-track deportation authority nationwide
- Increased Militarization: Deployment of additional personnel and resources to border areas
- Registry Requirements: New mandates for non-citizens to register with federal authorities
Border management experts describe this as “the most comprehensive overhaul of asylum access in decades,” noting that it combines digital, legal, physical, and administrative barriers to protection.
Immigration attorney Marco Gonzalez summarizes: “In less than 60 days, we’ve seen every major asylum pathway narrowed or eliminated. The CBP One cancellation was just the opening move in a much larger strategy.”
Looking Ahead: Uncertain Futures at the Border
As the situation continues evolving, several key trends bear watching:
Legal Developments
Court rulings expected in April-May 2025 could significantly reshape the border landscape, potentially restoring some pathways or confirming their closure.
Humanitarian Adaptation
Aid organizations are developing alternative support systems for stranded migrants, though resources remain severely limited.
Diplomatic Dimensions
Mexico’s response to handling increased migrant populations will shape conditions on the ground, with ongoing bilateral talks addressing responsibility-sharing.
Migration Pattern Shifts
Early evidence suggests changing migration routes and methods as people adapt to the new reality, with potential increases in maritime attempts and remote crossing points.
Immigration policy historian Dr. Elena Wong places the current moment in context: “Throughout US history, we’ve seen pendulum swings in border policy. What makes this moment unique is the speed of change and the role of technology in both implementing and disrupting asylum access.”
- Also Read: White Oak Impact Fund Revealed.
FAQs: Understanding the CBP One Cancellation Crisis
How exactly did CBP One work for asylum seekers before cancellation?
Migrants in central or northern Mexico could download the app, create an account, submit biographic information, verify their location, and schedule an appointment at one of eight ports of entry. Upon arrival, they underwent processing and typically received parole into the US with a Notice to Appear for immigration proceedings.
What happened to people who already had confirmed appointments?
All appointments scheduled for January 20, 2025, or later were cancelled without exception. No alternative processing or priority status was offered to those who had confirmed appointments.
Are there any legal ways to seek asylum at the US-Mexico border now?
Legal pathways have narrowed significantly. Most asylum seekers are now subject to the reinstated “Remain in Mexico” policy or face immediate expulsion. Extremely limited exceptions exist for specific vulnerable cases, though the criteria remain unclear.
How has Mexico responded to the cancellation?
Mexico’s government has expressed concern about increased migrant populations in border cities but continues coordinating with US authorities on border management. Mexican shelters and services face severe strain handling the stranded population.
What distinguishes the new CBP Home app from the old CBP One?
While using much of the same technology, CBP Home reverses the app’s purpose—instead of facilitating legal entry for asylum claims, it focuses on documenting and encouraging departures from the US. It includes self-deportation reporting features and no asylum functionality.
Trump’s cancellation of CBP One strands migrants at US-Mexico border in what United Nations representatives call “a profound setback for orderly migration management,” leaving vulnerable populations in extended limbo as they search for dwindling pathways to safety and protection.