President Donald Trump wasted no time in enacting sweeping changes to U.S. immigration policy, shutting down the CBP One app within moments of being sworn in for his second term. The app, which had facilitated nearly one million legal entries under the Biden administration, was immediately disabled, leaving thousands of migrants stranded and in tears at the southern border.
Despair at the Border
Migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border expressed anguish over the sudden change. Margelis Tinoco, a Colombian woman waiting to cross into El Paso from Ciudad Juarez, broke down when the app went dark. “I waited so long to do this the right way,” she said, visibly distraught.
Similarly, Yaime Perez, a Cuban asylum seeker, was seen sobbing at the Paso del Norte International Border Bridge. Perez, like many others, had used the app to secure an appointment for legal entry, only to find her hopes dashed.
Despite their struggles, some migrants, like Flores, remain determined:
“If I waited seven months for an appointment, I can wait a few days to see what happens.”
Advocates and Critics Respond
Advocates for migrants criticized the abrupt policy change, calling it cruel and disruptive to those seeking legal entry. Legal experts raised concerns about potential violations of the 14th Amendment, particularly regarding birthright citizenship proposals.
For now, the southern border stands as a focal point of Trump’s second term, embodying his promise to enforce stricter immigration controls and redefine U.S. border policies.
