Trump Administration Abruptly Revokes Legal Status for Migrants Admitted Via CBP One App

The Trump administration has initiated a controversial policy shift, revoking the legal status of migrants who entered the United States using the CBP One app, a program established during the Biden administration. This decision has cast uncertainty over the lives of thousands who were granted temporary permission to reside and work in the U.S.

Key Points:

• Immediate Departure Required: Migrants who entered the U.S. through the CBP One app are now being told to leave the country "immediately."
• App's Original Purpose: The CBP One app was a key component of the Biden administration's strategy to create legal pathways for migrants, aiming to reduce illegal border crossings.
• Scale of Impact: Since January 2023, over 900,000 individuals have been admitted into the U.S. using the CBP One app. They were generally granted a two-year parole period with work authorization.
• DHS Statement: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated that canceling these paroles fulfills a promise to secure borders and protect national security.
• Voluntary Deportation: Affected migrants are being directed to use the CBP Home app, formerly CBP One, to "voluntarily self-deport."
• Revocation Notices: Termination notices have been sent to CBP One beneficiaries.
• Legal Aid Concerns: Organizations like Al Otro Lado are providing legal assistance to migrants from Honduras, El Salvador, and Mexico who have received revocation letters.
• Trump's Stance: President Trump ended CBP One for new entrants on his first day in office.
• Broader Policy Changes: The Trump administration has also ended Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuelans and Haitians, though a federal judge temporarily put that on hold.
• Biden's Parole Authority: Homeland Security criticized the Biden administration's use of parole authority, claiming it fueled a border crisis.

The DHS has confirmed that termination notices were dispatched to CBP One beneficiaries. The agency, however, did not disclose the precise number of individuals affected by this policy reversal. An email reviewed by The Associated Press instructed a Honduran family, who entered the U.S. late last year, to "abandon the United States." Similar messages have been shared across social media platforms, causing widespread alarm and confusion.

This move is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to reverse immigration policies implemented by President Biden. Last month, the administration announced the revocation of parole for 532,000 people from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela who had flown to the country with financial sponsors.

The future remains uncertain for the thousands of migrants impacted by these policy changes, as legal challenges and further policy adjustments are anticipated.