CBP One Shutdown Leaves Asylum Seekers in Mexico Stranded, Despairing

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Key Takeaways

The Trump administration’s shutdown of CBP One app leaves thousands of asylum seekers stranded and without a clear legal pathway.
Fears rise over migrants’ safety as the policy change forces many toward dangerous routes or the controversial “Remain in Mexico” program.
Advocacy groups challenge policy changes, citing conflicts with U.S. asylum laws and escalating humanitarian concerns for vulnerable migrants in Mexico.

Asylum seekers in Mexico are grappling with immense uncertainty following the sudden closure of a key legal pathway to seek safety in the United States. On January 20, 2025, the newly inaugurated Trump administration abruptly ended the use of the CBP One app. This app had, for two years, enabled asylum seekers in Mexico to arrange appointments at U.S. border crossings. Over 936,500 individuals used CBP One during this period, providing many with a structured and somewhat predictable opportunity to present their cases at legal ports of entry. Its abrupt cancellation has left thousands stranded in despair.

CBP One Shutdown Leaves Asylum Seekers in Mexico Stranded, Despairing

Immediate Impact on Asylum Seekers

The shutdown of CBP One has profound short-term implications. About 30,000 individuals who had previously secured appointments through the app are now in limbo. They had meticulously planned their journeys, often overcoming significant challenges, only to find their scheduled opportunities revoked without notice. Among them is Roberto Canastu, a migrant from Guatemala. After finally securing an appointment following a month-long struggle with the app’s lottery system, he borrowed close to $9,000 to journey to Tijuana. However, upon arrival for his early-morning appointment, he discovered that all appointments were suddenly canceled.

The scene in various Mexican border cities mirrors the despair felt by Roberto. Outside a Tijuana customs office, migrants — many of whom waited months for their appointments — sat in disbelief. For them, the app had represented hope, a legitimate path to safety after long and dangerous journeys. Its shutdown has shattered that hope. The new administration’s orders also halt the entry of undocumented migrants into the United States without exception, closing off any alternate routes to seek protection.

Rising Concerns About Safety and Vulnerability

The termination of CBP One has sparked fears about the safety of those stranded. Without legal pathways, many fear asylum seekers may now turn to more hazardous routes, such as crossing the border illegally. These routes often involve smugglers, many of whom are tied to organized crime. Josué Leal, speaking from a shelter in southern Mexico, painted a grim picture of the emotional toll. He shared that many people were crying, feeling hopeless, and unsure of what to do next. For those already vulnerable, the prospect of being driven toward dangerous and illegal crossings is deeply troubling.

Importantly, the impact of these actions extends even to those who were still attempting to secure future appointments. There were approximately 270,000 individuals in Mexico using CBP One, inputting their personal and biometric data during the process. Now, with the system disabled, the status of their sensitive personal information — currently held by U.S. authorities — is unclear. Many worry about the potential misuse or mishandling of this data.

Broader Policy Shift: The Return of “Remain in Mexico”

The reinstatement of the controversial “Remain in Mexico” program further complicates the already grim situation for migrants. Officially known as the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP), this policy mandates that non-Mexican asylum seekers await their immigration hearings within Mexico’s borders. During its initial implementation under President Trump’s first term, more than 71,000 asylum seekers were subject to it. Many lived for months, even years, in unsafe conditions, vulnerable to kidnappings, assaults, and exploitation by organized crime groups and corrupt officials.

Past experiences with “Remain in Mexico” were fraught with hardship. Organizations such as Human Rights First documented over 2,500 attacks, including kidnappings, murders, and sexual assaults inflicted on migrants enrolled in the program. Migrants lived in camps with little protection, often facing extortion and violence. Human rights monitors reported over 1,500 additional cases of violent crimes during the program’s first iteration.

The revival of this policy brings back fears of similar outcomes. Families, children, and individuals already fleeing life-threatening circumstances may once again face homelessness, violence, or worse. Critics have labeled the program inhumane, arguing that it subjects vulnerable communities to unnecessary suffering with little regard for their protection needs.

Legal and Humanitarian Concerns

The immediate legal implications of these policy shifts have drawn widespread criticism. Migrant advocacy groups have pointed out that shutting down CBP One and reinstating “Remain in Mexico” conflict with U.S. immigration law. The Refugee Act of 1980, a key U.S. law enshrined in Section 208 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, guarantees the right of any non-citizen to apply for asylum upon reaching U.S. soil if they fear persecution due to race, religion, nationality, or political affiliation. Critics argue that these abrupt changes in border policy effectively close off this guaranteed right by making asylum dependent on arbitrary limitations, such as daily quotas.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has already challenged the legality of the Biden administration’s June 2024 asylum ban, which prohibits asylum applications between official ports of entry. Now, the removal of CBP One is being included in these legal arguments. Advocacy groups argue that without the app as an alternative, people now have no real way to access the asylum process.

Mexico’s Response and Future Uncertainty

The uncertainties surrounding these actions are further compounded by the unclear response from the Mexican government. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has not outright rejected the reinstatement of “Remain in Mexico” but has suggested that her government will adopt a “different focus” if they agree to cooperate. While she acknowledged the policy’s return as “nothing new,” her administration has yet to outline how it will address the safety and humanitarian challenges faced by migrants stranded in Mexican border towns.

For asylum seekers stuck in cities like Tijuana, Ciudad Juárez, and Matamoros, the lack of clear pathways forward is devastating. These border regions are often dangerous, with many migrants falling prey to organized crime and severe poverty while they wait. Humanitarian organizations are trying to fill the gap, but resources are limited, and the demand far exceeds what they can currently provide.

Human Impact

Ultimately, these policy changes have left asylum seekers feeling abandoned by the systems they had relied on. Many had placed their hopes and faith in CBP One, often waiting months or longer for their turn to ask for protection. For them, the app was more than just a scheduling tool — it was their lifeline, representing the possibility of refuge from danger. Now, with this lifeline removed, they face an uncertain and harrowing future.

The Trump administration’s broader push to curb asylum access at the U.S.-Mexico border has effectively put many lives at risk. Migrant rights organizations argue that such actions jeopardize the safety of thousands who already live in precarious conditions. Roberto’s story, like many others, reflects the emotional burden of dashed hopes. The sense of loss among asylum seekers is so profound that many have described their situation as being “in mourning,” grieving the opportunities they believed they had secured.

What Lies Ahead

The current policy environment at the U.S.-Mexico border paints a bleak picture for vulnerable migrants. As advocacy groups file legal motions and human rights organizations express outrage, the on-ground reality remains the same: thousands of asylum seekers are left stranded in Mexico, without clear routes to protection.

As debates continue, the devastating toll on individuals persists. For those like Roberto and Josué, what felt only weeks ago like a tangible plan for safety has turned into uncertainty and despair. With the reinstatement of “Remain in Mexico” and the removal of CBP One, the border has grown more challenging than ever for asylum seekers.

To better understand immigration policies and their applications, referring to official government resources like U.S. Customs and Border Protection can provide timely updates. As reported by VisaVerge.com, the sudden shifts in U.S. border policy come at significant human and legal costs, raising questions about what lies ahead for asylum seekers in search of protection.

Asylum seekers stranded after U.S. shuts down CBP One app
The Trump administration has abruptly terminated the CBP One app, which allowed migrants in Mexico to legally schedule asylum appointments at U.S. border ports of entry. The closure leaves tens of thousands in limbo, including those who had secured appointments, amid broader efforts to restrict immigration at the border.

Why it matters:
This policy shift effectively eliminates a critical legal pathway for migrants seeking protection in the U.S., prompting fears of increased risks for asylum seekers and pushing some toward dangerous alternatives like crossing the border irregularly.

The big picture:
– Over 936,500 migrants used CBP One in the past two years to navigate a legal path for asylum.
– Approximately 30,000 migrants, who had secured appointments, saw their chances revoked without notice after the app’s cancellation.
– Other policies, such as reinstating the controversial “Remain in Mexico” program, have complicated asylum access further.

By the numbers:
– Human rights groups documented over 1,500 violent incidents during the prior “Remain in Mexico” program implementation.
– About 270,000 migrants actively used CBP One before its shutdown, sharing sensitive data like biometrics with U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
– Migrant advocacy groups warn of 2,500 documented attacks against individuals in earlier iterations of the Migrant Protection Protocols.

What they’re saying:
Roberto Canastu, a Guatemalan asylum seeker, said he borrowed $9,000 to travel north after securing an appointment through CBP One. Upon arriving in Tijuana, he learned his Tuesday meeting was canceled without explanation, saying, “It’s as if my life shattered in an instant.”

Between the lines:
– The cancelation adds urgency to legal challenges. Groups like the ACLU argue these new measures violate provisions under the 1980 Refugee Act, which guarantees the right to seek asylum on U.S. soil.
– Advocates fear the loss of legal pathways will increase exploitation by smugglers tied to organized crime.

Yes, but:
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has signaled that her administration may “adjust” its approach to U.S. returns under the “Remain in Mexico” program. However, no formal stance yet addresses the fallout of the CBP One shutdown.

State of play:
Migrants in Mexican border cities like Tijuana sit in frustration and disbelief. Shelters in locations like Tabasco report despair among individuals and families, many reduced to tears as uncertainty looms over their future.

The bottom line:
The sudden rollout of restrictive measures leaves thousands of asylum seekers stuck in dangerous conditions, without a clear legal route to protection. These policies not only alter U.S. immigration dynamics but also amplify risks for vulnerable migrants in Mexico.

Learn Today

Asylum seekers: Individuals fleeing persecution who seek protection and the legal right to live in another country.
CBP One app: A digital tool used to schedule asylum appointments at U.S. border crossings, later abruptly discontinued.
Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP): Also known as “Remain in Mexico,” a policy requiring non-Mexican asylum seekers to await hearings in Mexico.
Refugee Act of 1980: U.S. law allowing non-citizens to apply for asylum if they fear persecution based on specific factors.
Undocumented migrants: Individuals entering or staying in a country without proper legal authorization or documentation.

This Article in a Nutshell

The sudden removal of CBP One has devastated asylum seekers in Mexico, erasing their pathway to safety in the U.S. Stranded, robbed of hope, many face dangers from crime and poverty. With the revival of “Remain in Mexico,” their plight worsens, exposing deep humanitarian and legal challenges amid uncertain futures.
— By VisaVerge.com