The Trump administration is currently embroiled in a legal dispute following its decision to shut down CBP One, a border app that facilitated the legal migration of individuals seeking asylum in the United States. The app, which allowed migrants to seek asylum, has become the focal point of a case filed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) against the Biden administration's asylum restrictions.
Initially, the Biden administration had argued that despite the asylum restrictions, migrants could still access asylum through CBP One. However, the app was abruptly deactivated and all existing appointments were canceled shortly after President Donald Trump assumed office.
The ACLU's motion in the ongoing case against the Biden administration highlights the critical impact of the app's shutdown on migrants' ability to seek asylum. The filing emphasizes that without the appointment process provided by CBP One, the right to seek asylum at the border effectively ceases to exist, leaving vulnerable migrants, including families with children, in a precarious situation.
According to the ACLU's filing, the CBP One appointment process enabled up to 1,450 migrants per day to seek asylum, underscoring the significant role the app played in facilitating legal migration to the United States.
As a response to the app's shutdown and its implications on asylum seekers, the ACLU has urgently requested a status conference in the case to address the pressing need for relief for migrants affected by the discontinuation of CBP One.
The legal battle surrounding the shutdown of CBP One underscores the complexities and challenges faced by migrants seeking asylum in the United States, highlighting the critical role that technology and digital platforms play in facilitating legal migration processes.
