CBP One App used by migrants as gateway to the United States

MCALLEN, Texas - For many Mexican-Americans, the McAllen-Hidalgo International Bridge is a vital link between the economies and educational opportunities of the United States and Mexico. However, for migrants entering the U.S. legally through the CBP One app, it represents their first step toward freedom.

Migrants journey to the United States with the CBP One App

What they're saying:

Johana Paredes, a native of Venezuela, embarked on a challenging journey to escape the political and economic instability of her home country. "It was a complicated journey," she said, describing her trek through the Darién Gap, which took approximately 21 days to reach Mexico.

Once in Mexico, Paredes spent six months waiting for her CBP One appointment. "There were highs and lows," she explained. During this time, she took on various jobs, from working in kitchens and clothing stores to cleaning houses, to support herself.

Another migrant, who began his journey in Chile, spent a year in Mexico waiting for his appointment confirmation. Despite the challenges, he believes it was worth the effort to enter the U.S. legally through the app, given the situation in Haiti.

What is the CBP One App?

The CBP One app is a mobile application that allows migrants to notify the U.S. government of their intention to arrive at a port of entry. This system, introduced by the Biden administration, aims to create an orderly process for migrants seeking asylum. However, appointments are limited to about 1,500 migrants per day, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Since the app's appointment scheduling function was launched in January 2023, over 904,500 people have successfully scheduled appointments and been admitted into the country.

Where is Johana Paredes now?

What's next:

Johana Paredes has now started her new life in Kentucky. "I came here to make a better life," she said. "I want to work, pay taxes, and do whatever the United States asks of me." Her story, like many others, highlights the complex and often arduous journey migrants face in pursuit of a new beginning in America.

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What's the future of the CBP One App under the Trump Administration?

What we don't know:

President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to make sweeping changes to immigration and border security on day one of his presidency. Many in the immigration community believe that Trump will do away with the app. 

Over 1.2 million entered the United States under President Joe Biden

By the numbers:

In a press release, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reported that the month of November saw the lowest level in illegal crossings at the U.S. southern border under the Biden administration. Border Patrol recorded nearly 47,000 migrant apprehensions. For comparison, in December 2023, it reported a record of 250,000.

RELATED: Border Watch with Jonathan Mejia: Over 1.4M migrants enter under Biden Administration

In that same monthly update, CBP reported that in November the agency processed over 43,000 individuals at ports of entry with information submitted in advance through the CBP One App. Since the appointment scheduling function in CBP One was introduced in January 2023, through the end of November 2024, more than 904,500 individuals have successfully scheduled appointments to present themselves at ports of entry – all those individuals were admitted into the country. The top nationalities processed with appointments through the CBP One App are Venezuelans, Cubans, and Mexicans.