Trump Shuts Down Migrant Appointment App Immediately After Taking Office

Discover how Donald Trump’s administration immediately shut down the CBP One app moments after his inauguration, signaling a return to stricter immigration policies.

Donald Trump Assumes Presidency as the 47th U.S. President
On January 20, 2025, Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States during a ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda in Washington, D.C. Just moments after taking office, his administration initiated a significant policy change that sent ripples through the immigration system.

Migrant Appointment App Disabled
The Trump administration promptly shut down the CBP One mobile application, which was developed to help migrants schedule appointments at U.S.-Mexico border entry points. This decision effectively canceled all scheduled appointments for migrants without visas seeking legal entry into the United States.

A Shift in Immigration Policy
This action signals a move toward stricter border control measures, part of President Trump’s broader strategy to tighten immigration enforcement. The decision comes despite a notable decline in migration numbers over recent months.

According to data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), December 2024 saw 96,048 border encounters. Of these, 48,722 individuals sought lawful entry at official ports of entry. The last time monthly encounters dropped below 100,000 before November 2024 was in January 2021, during President Biden’s inauguration. That month, CBP recorded 78,414 encounters, with just 3,098 individuals presenting themselves legally at ports of entry.

Impact on Biden-Era Policies
The CBP One app had been a cornerstone of the Biden administration’s efforts to encourage legal migration pathways. By shutting it down, the Trump administration has signaled its intention to dismantle key policies from the previous administration.

New Border Policies on the Horizon
President Trump is expected to sign ten executive orders addressing immigration and border policy. These orders include reinstating the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP), commonly known as the “Remain in Mexico” policy. Under this program, approximately 70,000 migrants were required to remain in Mexico while awaiting decisions on their U.S. asylum applications during Trump’s previous term.

Key Takeaways
The disabling of the CBP One app and the anticipated executive orders underline the new administration’s commitment to reversing Biden-era immigration reforms. This marks a pivotal moment in U.S. immigration policy, one that will likely have significant implications for migrants and border security operations.