“The elimination of the CBP One scheduling application on 20 January, one of the few tools available for migrants to seek asylum in the United States, represents a severe blow to the protection of human rights for migrants and asylum seekers,” says Adriana Palomares, General Coordinator of MSF in Mexico.
“This irresponsible decision will have both immediate and long-term repercussions for countless individuals, threatening their lives, health, and well-being.”
Initially launched in 2020 to streamline cargo inspections at the US-Mexico border, the CBP One app expanded in January 2023 to facilitate asylum appointments for unauthorised migrants fleeing violence, poverty, or persecution. By May 2023, it became the sole pathway for asylum requests at US ports of entry under the Biden administration. Over the past year, nearly one million migrants—approximately 1,450 daily—used the app to secure screening appointments.
Though imperfect, the app provided a critical, albeit limited, avenue for asylum seekers to avoid hazardous routes and the perils of human trafficking networks. Its abrupt shutdown leaves many of the most vulnerable, including survivors of violence and persecution, with no legal or safe alternatives.
MSF staff report that the closure of CBP One has triggered a wave of despair and uncertainty. Many migrants had already invested heavily in their appointments, selling belongings, quitting jobs, and separating from loved ones in preparation for their journey to the border.
“A patient we treated this week suffered an acute anxiety attack after her previously approved asylum appointment in early February was canceled,” said Ramón Márquez, coordinator of MSF’s Comprehensive Care Center (CAI) in Mexico City. “Our therapeutic teams are ramping up interventions to support those in emotional crisis.”