Thousands of migrants who entered the United States during President Joe Biden’s administration are now being ordered to leave the country without delay.
These individuals had used a digital platform called CBP One, which was introduced to manage asylum requests at the US southern border. The app allowed migrants to schedule entry appointments and, upon arrival, many were granted temporary legal status through a program known as parole.
Roughly 900,000 migrants benefited from this system, receiving the right to stay and work in the US for two years. But a sharp policy shift is now reversing those permissions. Many are being notified that their parole has been cancelled, and that they face legal consequences if they do not leave the US immediately.
The change follows recent moves by former President Donald Trump, who has resumed efforts to tighten immigration control since his return to office. Under his administration, the CBP One app was renamed CBP Home and repurposed to support what officials call “self-deportation” procedures.
Migrants have begun receiving formal notifications through email. The messages warn that failure to depart voluntarily may result in removal by law enforcement, along with the loss of any previously granted benefits such as work authorization. They are also informed that they could face fines, criminal charges, or other federal penalties if they stay without legal status.
The Department of Homeland Security stated that the Biden-era use of parole had worsened the US border crisis, calling the current action a necessary measure to restore order and strengthen national security. Officials confirmed that certain groups, including Ukrainians and Afghans in separate humanitarian parole programs, are not affected by these changes.
However, advocacy groups report that many of the migrants receiving the departure notices are from Mexico, Honduras, and El Salvador. These individuals were originally allowed to enter for humanitarian reasons and have built temporary lives in the US over the past two years.
The CBP One app, originally launched in 2020, was expanded under President Biden to reduce overcrowding and streamline entry for asylum seekers. The technology was intended to manage border crossings more safely and efficiently, especially for vulnerable populations fleeing hardship.
Now, under the app’s new function, migrants are asked if they have the resources to leave, such as valid passports and money for travel. In addition, the administration has announced a national registry for undocumented migrants. Those aged 14 and older must submit personal information, including fingerprints and an address, or potentially face legal action.
Legal experts and immigrant rights groups have raised concerns about the feasibility of enforcing such a broad crackdown, warning of logistical difficulties and the potential for widespread confusion. Nonetheless, the administration maintains that it is following through on its pledge to tighten border security and uphold immigration laws.