Migrants who entered the United States under former President Joe Biden’s CBP One app policy have been ordered to self-deport “immediately,” U.S. media reported on Tuesday.
A spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed to AFP that “formal termination notices” had been issued to certain individuals deemed to be “illegal aliens,” but did not clarify the criteria used for selecting those affected.
“Formal termination notices have been issued, and affected aliens are urged to voluntarily self-deport using the CBP Home App,” the DHS official stated. “Those who refuse will be found, removed, and permanently barred from reentry.”
The CBP One app, introduced in January 2023 under the Biden administration, allowed migrants to schedule appointments at designated southwestern ports of entry. It formed a key part of a broader humanitarian parole strategy aimed at managing migration in a more orderly manner.
The roughly 900,000 migrants who entered at the southern border using the app, CBP One, were generally allowed to remain in the US for two years and given “parole” from immigration laws to work in the country legally.
According to National Public Radio, the recent orders could impact more than 930,000 migrants who entered the U.S. under this program.
President Donald Trump, who returned to office earlier this year, canceled further use of the CBP One app on his first day back in the White House. This move effectively shut down access to a platform that enabled migrants in Mexico to legally request appointments to seek temporary residency at U.S. border crossings.
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According to BBC, an an email sent to one the migrant reads “it is time for you to leave the United States”.
“If you do not depart the United States immediately you will be subject to potential law enforcement actions that result in your removal from the United States – unless you have otherwise obtained a lawful basis to remain here,” the email adds.
In a statement, the Department of Homeland Security said that “the Biden Administration abused the parole authority to allow millions of illegal aliens into the US which further fuelled the worst border crisis in US history”.
“Cancelling these paroles is a promise kept to the American people to secure our borders and protect national security,” the statement added.
The notice also advises migrants that any benefits received as part of their parole into the US – including work authorisation – are cancelled.
“You will be subject to potential criminal prosecution, civil fines, and penalties, and any other lawful options available to the federal government,” it says.
It is unclear how many people received the notices, although immigration officials have confirmed that they have been sent to “some” of those paroled into the US.
DHS said the cancellations and push to leave immediately do not apply to migrants in two parole programmes designated for some Ukrainians and Afghans.
Trump, who campaigned heavily on a platform of strict immigration enforcement, has pledged to deport “millions” of undocumented migrants. He has drawn criticism for inflammatory rhetoric on the campaign trail, where he referred to some migrants as “animals” and “monsters,” accusing them of contributing to violent crime.
“Canceling these paroles is a promise kept to the American people to secure our borders and protect national security,” the DHS spokesperson said.
The termination notices were reportedly sent via email, citing the department’s discretionary authority under U.S. immigration law to revoke parole status.
The CBP One app which was rebranded as CBP Home, now allows undocumented migrants to identify themselves and declare their intention to leave the country.
This move follows a broader crackdown by the Trump administration. Just last month, the administration rescinded the legal status of 532,000 migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, giving them only weeks to leave the country.