Thousands of migrants who entered the United States during the Biden administration using a special app for asylum appointments are now being told to leave the country “immediately” after their paroles were revoked. The move has sparked concerns and confusion among the migrants who used the CBP One app, a tool designed to streamline asylum procedures during the previous administration.
The approximately 900,000 migrants who utilized the app were granted “parole,” allowing them to stay in the United States for up to two years and legally work. However, with the cancellation of these paroles, many of them now face the risk of deportation and possible prosecution for remaining in the country.
The Biden administration’s policy, aimed at managing the surge in migrant arrivals at the US southern border, is now being re-evaluated under the current leadership. The revocation of paroles has been a point of contention for both the migrants involved and immigration advocates, as well as for the broader debate over immigration policy in the US.
Launched in 2020 under the Biden administration, CBP One was intended to help manage asylum seekers and streamline their entry process. The app allowed migrants to book appointments at US ports of entry, reducing the need for dangerous border crossings. In return for using the app, many were granted parole status, enabling them to legally work in the US while they awaited the processing of their asylum claims.
The Biden administration viewed the app as part of a broader effort to manage the unprecedented number of people arriving at the US southern border. This initiative was hailed as a step toward improving border security while also providing a more orderly and safe process for asylum seekers.
Despite these efforts, the administration faced criticism from both sides of the political spectrum. Supporters of more stringent immigration policies argued that the system was too lenient, while advocates for migrants expressed concerns about the challenges asylum seekers faced within the US immigration system.
In recent months, however, the policy surrounding the CBP One app has undergone significant changes. Under former President Donald Trump’s administration, the app was rebranded as “CBP Home” and repurposed as a tool for encouraging “self-deportations” rather than helping migrants gain entry to the US. The new focus of the app is to assist migrants who have overstayed their visas or violated immigration laws in voluntarily returning to their home countries.
This shift in policy reflects Trump’s long-standing promise to crack down on illegal immigration. By rebranding the app, the government hopes to increase the number of people who leave the US voluntarily, thus reducing the strain on immigration courts and detention facilities. The decision to cancel parole for the migrants who used the CBP One app is seen as a direct continuation of Trump’s tough stance on immigration.
Migrants who entered the US through the CBP One app and were granted parole status are now receiving notices instructing them to leave the country “immediately.” The notices explain that if they fail to depart, they will face potential law enforcement action and may be subject to deportation.
One migrant, who received the email, shared it with the BBC. The email states: “If you do not depart the United States immediately, you will be subject to potential law enforcement actions that result in your removal from the United States—unless you have otherwise obtained a lawful basis to remain here.”
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has defended the decision, stating that the parole system was abused during the Biden administration and that the revocation of paroles is an effort to secure the nation’s borders and protect national security.
“DHS is simply keeping its promise to the American people to secure our borders and ensure that immigration laws are respected,” a DHS spokesperson said in a statement.
However, the decision to revoke paroles and force migrants to leave the country immediately has sparked a backlash from immigration advocates, who argue that it could place migrants in vulnerable situations, particularly as many of them fled violence and instability in their home countries. Advocacy groups also contend that the rapid shift in policy could disrupt lives, leaving thousands of people uncertain about their future.
While the notices apply to the majority of migrants who entered through the CBP One app, they do not apply to those in specific parole programs for certain nationalities. For example, Ukrainians and Afghans in specialized parole programs are exempt from the current policy.
However, many of the migrants who have received notices are from countries such as Mexico, Honduras, and El Salvador. These individuals are now facing the harsh reality of deportation, with their work authorizations and other benefits associated with their parole status canceled.
The revocation of paroles means that these migrants will no longer be allowed to work legally, and they could face fines or other penalties if they do not comply with the directive to leave the country. Many of the affected individuals are now left in limbo, uncertain about what steps they should take next.
In addition to the parole cancellations, the Biden administration has announced plans to create a national registry for undocumented migrants. This registry would require all undocumented individuals above the age of 14 to provide their addresses and fingerprints to the US government.
This move, announced in late February, is seen as an attempt to better track undocumented migrants and ensure that they comply with immigration laws. However, experts have expressed concerns about the feasibility and effectiveness of such a system. They argue that logistical challenges and enforcement difficulties could make the registry difficult to implement.
Furthermore, critics argue that the national registry could disproportionately affect vulnerable migrants, including those who have already faced hardships in their journey to the US. Many fear that the registry may lead to further criminalization of undocumented migrants and make it harder for them to access necessary services or find stable employment.
The growing uncertainty surrounding the future of immigrants who entered the US during the Biden administration reflects the ongoing debate over immigration policy in the country. The shifting policies and the revocation of paroles have intensified this debate, with some arguing that the government is abandoning its humanitarian efforts to manage asylum seekers, while others believe that stronger enforcement measures are necessary to protect the US’s borders.
As the US continues to grapple with the complexities of immigration, migrants caught in the crossfire of these policy shifts are left to navigate an increasingly hostile environment. With the government now pushing many to leave the country immediately, questions remain about the long-term impact of these changes on both migrants and the broader US immigration system.
As it stands, the future for many of these individuals remains uncertain, with no clear answers on how the US will balance security concerns with the needs of vulnerable populations seeking refuge.
