A recent development in the US has seen a mobile application, originally designed to help migrants book asylum appointments, being repurposed. This app is now being used to encourage undocumented migrants to leave the country voluntarily. The app, now known as CBP Home, allows migrants to submit an "intent to depart". This move is part of the White House's broader plan to revamp the US immigration system, which includes proposals for large-scale detentions.

The app was initially launched in 2020 as CBP One. Under the Biden administration, it was expanded to help migrants schedule appointments at ports of entry. The app was praised for reducing border detentions and aiding asylum seekers on their often perilous journeys. However, the new administration has changed its purpose. Now, undocumented migrants can use it to declare their intention to leave the country. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated that this voluntary departure could open the door for future legal returns. However, she also warned that those who do not comply will face deportation and be barred from returning.

The app also asks migrants if they have enough money to leave and a valid passport. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has not provided details on what happens after the forms are submitted. Besides its new function, the app can also be used for other purposes, such as applying for entry and exit cards, booking cargo inspections, and checking border wait times. This app is part of a larger campaign costing $200 million to encourage undocumented migrants to leave the country.

Critics have raised concerns about the effectiveness and fairness of this approach. The registration system, which requires undocumented migrants to provide personal information, faces significant challenges. Experts point out that enforcing such a system is difficult and fraught with logistical issues. The app's new purpose and the broader immigration policies it supports are part of a significant shift in strategy. The Trump administration quickly moved to scrap the original app and paused parole programs, leading to an increase in ICE raids. The new policies, including the national registry for undocumented migrants, have sparked debate and criticism.

New App Encourages Undocumented Migrants to Leave the US

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