This decision marks a massive revocation of the temporary status granted under the Biden administration, which used the CBP One application to facilitate the legal entry of migrants by allowing them to schedule appointments at the border with Mexico.
Background to the CBP One program
The CBP One app, launched in 2020 and expanded in 2023, enabled hundreds of thousands of migrants to obtain temporary status based on a presidential authorization called a “parole”. This status typically gave them two years’ residency with a work permit. Since its launch, over 900,000 people have benefited from this program.
However, under the Trump administration, the application has been renamed CBP Home and reoriented to encourage “voluntary deportation”. Affected migrants are invited to use this app to declare their intention to leave the United States. According to the DHS, this approach is designed to reduce costs and conserve law enforcement resources while securing borders.
Measures taken by DHS
Revocation of temporary status: Beneficiaries of the CBP One program have received notices asking them to leave the country voluntarily via the CBP Home application. Those who do not comply risk forced deportation and a permanent ban on re-entry.
National campaign: A $200 million advertising campaign has been launched to promote “voluntary deportation” to illegal migrants.
Official justification: The DHS claims that this measure is necessary to secure the borders and protect national security. The Trump administration also criticizes the excessive use of “parole” status under Biden, which it sees as having exacerbated the migration crisis.
Impact on migrants
The deportation notices mainly affect families from Honduras, El Salvador and Mexico. Organizations such as Al Otro Lado, which provide legal aid to migrants, have expressed their concerns about this brutal decision. Some beneficiaries have shared their letters of revocation on social networks, highlighting the uncertainty and distress caused by this measure.
Conclusion
The transition from CBP One to CBP Home reflects a radical shift in U.S. migration policy. Whereas the Biden administration had used CBP One to create legal channels for entry, the Trump administration is now emphasizing voluntary deportation and strict enforcement of migration laws. This decision could have major consequences for hundreds of thousands of migrants living in the U.S. under temporary status.