The Trump administration introduced a new app on Monday that provides immigrants in the United States without legal status the option to voluntarily leave the country instead of facing potential arrest and detention. The app, named CBP Home by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, allows individuals to indicate their intention to depart, aiming to promote legal pathways for future return and the pursuit of the American dream. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem emphasized the app’s purpose of encouraging self-deportation to avoid enforcement actions and ensure compliance with immigration laws. The administration under Trump has prioritized increasing deportation numbers of undocumented migrants, contrasting with policies during the Biden administration. Efforts to pressure immigrants to depart include a forthcoming regulation mandating registration for those without legal status or facing penalties. CBP Home replaces the previous CBP One app from the Biden era, which allowed migrants in Mexico to schedule entry appointments, a program criticized by Republicans for potentially contributing to mass migration. Upon assuming office, Trump discontinued the CBP One app, leading to confusion and uncertainty among migrants with scheduled appointments.
