Thousands of Migrants Ordered to Leave U.S. Under Revamped Immigration Policy
Parole Cancellations Affect Migrants Who Used CBP One App to Enter the Country
Washington, D.C. – The U.S. government has begun notifying thousands of migrants who entered the country under a Biden-era immigration policy that their temporary legal status, or “parole,” has been revoked. The impacted individuals, estimated to be among the 900,000 who used the CBP One mobile app to book asylum appointments at the southern border, are now being told they must depart the United States immediately or face legal consequences.
The move is part of a sweeping overhaul by the Trump administration, which has rebranded the CBP One app as CBP Home. The new version is being used to facilitate what officials are calling “self-deportations.” Migrants are being asked to voluntarily register their departure plans, including whether they have a valid passport and sufficient funds to return to their home countries.
In an email seen by the BBC, one migrant was told: “It is time for you to leave the United States. If you do not depart 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 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated that the mass parole cancellations are a response to what it described as the prior administration’s misuse of immigration law. “The Biden Administration abused the parole authority to allow millions of illegal aliens into the U.S., which further fueled the worst border crisis in U.S. history,” DHS said. “Cancelling these paroles is a promise kept to the American people to secure our borders and protect national security.”
While DHS has not confirmed the exact number of notices sent, the cancellations reportedly affect nationals from countries such as Mexico, Honduras, and El Salvador. However, migrants under specific parole programs for Ukrainians and Afghans are exempt from the current policy changes.
The notices also strip migrants of any benefits previously granted under their parole, including work permits, and warn of possible criminal prosecution, civil penalties, or removal if they fail to comply.
Originally introduced in 2020, the CBP One app was expanded by the Biden administration to ease congestion at border crossings and to provide a safer, more structured path for asylum seekers. Under the new administration, however, the rebranded app now prompts undocumented individuals to submit personal data, including fingerprints and residential addresses, as part of a proposed national registry for undocumented migrants.
Immigration advocates warn that the new policies could increase fear and instability among vulnerable communities, and legal experts suggest the enforcement of a national migrant registry could face serious logistical and legal challenges.
