On January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump issued an executive order shutting down the CBP One app, a crucial system used to schedule asylum appointments at the US-Mexico border. The sudden decision has left thousands of migrants in limbo, many of whom have endured months or even years waiting for their opportunity to seek refuge in the United States.
The executive order, part of Trump’s first day in office, also reinstated the controversial “Remain in Mexico” policy. This program forces asylum seekers to stay in Mexican border cities during the lengthy process of their claims, a measure that has drawn criticism for exposing migrants to dangerous conditions.
For families like Sol and Dayane, who had hoped to reunite with their children after a year of waiting, the move has been devastating. Many migrants had sold their possessions and embarked on perilous journeys, only to face renewed uncertainty and despair at the border.
Humanitarian groups, including Doctors Without Borders, have condemned the new policies, warning of a worsening humanitarian crisis. Migrants are now left vulnerable to violence, exploitation, and inadequate living conditions in border cities ill-equipped to handle the surge in displaced individuals.
The international community has raised concerns about the implications of this policy shift on human rights, with advocates calling for immediate action to address the plight of asylum seekers. Meanwhile, the Biden-era asylum policies, which prioritized streamlined and humane processing, have been abruptly reversed, signaling a significant change in U.S. immigration strategy.
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