Migrants To Use CBP OneTM to Schedule an Appointment

On Thursday, the Biden administration launched an online appointment system as the only way for migrants to get exceptions from pandemic-era limits on asylum. This is the U.S. government’s latest attempt to overhaul border enforcement.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection began allowing migrants to make appointments up to two weeks out using CBPOne, a mobile app. CBPOne is replacing an confusing patchwork of exemptions to a public health order Title 42, under which the government has denied migrants’ U.S. and international rights to claim asylum since March 2020.

The free CBP OneTM mobile application enables noncitizens without appropriate documents for admission who seek to travel to the United States through certain southwest border land ports of entry (POEs) the ability to submit information through a module within the application instead of coming directly to wait at a POE.

Beginning January 12, 2023, noncitizens who seek to travel to the United States through southwest border land POEs to request exception from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Order Suspending the Right To Introduce Certain Persons from Countries Where a Quarantinable Communicable Disease Exists, may use the CBP OneTM mobile application to submit certain information in advance, attest that they, a spouse or child accompanying them, meet specific vulnerability criteria, and schedule an appointment to present themselves for inspection at a participating POE.

The administration says using CBP OneTM streamlines the experience at the port of entry, may reduce wait times, and permits a safe and orderly process at POEs for all travelers.

Available in English and Spanish, the CBP OneTM application allows noncitizens located in Central and Northern Mexico to schedule an appointment and submit certain biographical information prior to their scheduled arrival at a POE.

Participating POEs are available in Texas at Brownsville, Eagle Pass, Hidalgo, Laredo and El Paso (Paso del Norte); Nogales in Arizona; as well as Calexico West and San Ysidro (Pedestrian West – El Chaparral) in California.

Until now, CBP has arranged exemptions through advocates, churches, attorneys and migrant shelters, without publicly identifying them or saying how many slots were available. The advocates have chosen who gets in, with CBP having final say.

Under the new system, migrants apply directly to the agency and a government official will determine who gets in. Their appointments will be at one of eight crossings — at Brownsville, El Paso, Hidalgo and Laredo in Texas; Nogales, Arizona; and Calexico and San Diego in California.

On arrival at the POE, a photo will be taken of the noncitizen which will confirm a match to the information supplied in advance and facilitate the process at the POE.

Exemptions for Title 42 are meant to go to the most vulnerable migrants.