The Biden administration launched the CBP One application to help asylum seekers schedule appointments at the border and enter the U.S. legally. However, it has now been replaced by CBP Home, a modified version introduced this Monday by the Trump administration. The new tool is designed to allow undocumented immigrants to “self-deport.”
“The CBP Home application gives foreign nationals the option to leave voluntarily and self-deport, allowing them to retain the possibility of returning legally in the future and achieving the American dream,” said Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. “If they don’t, we will find them, deport them, and they will never return,” she added.
One of the app’s key features is “Intent to Depart,” which allows undocumented immigrants or those with revoked permits to formally notify the government of their decision to leave the country. According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), this process aims to provide an orderly departure and help immigrants avoid harsher consequences, such as detention or expedited removal.
To use this tool, immigrants must identify themselves with a photo and biographical information. The app also asks if they have enough money to leave the country and if they possess a valid passport from their country of origin. However, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has not clarified what happens after completing the process in the application.
CBP One was eliminated just minutes after Trump took office on January 20. Originally launched in 2020, Biden expanded its functions in 2023 to facilitate access to asylum appointments from Mexico, aiming to reduce illegal crossings and regulate migration flows. While active, it allowed one million immigrants to enter the country legally.
Trump strongly criticized CBP One during his campaign, claiming it encouraged mass migration without proper screening. Keeping his promise, his administration shut it down, leaving thousands of migrants without scheduled appointments. “The Biden administration abused CBP One to allow more than a million foreign nationals to enter the United States illegally,” Noem stated. “With the launch of CBP Home, we are restoring the integrity of our immigration system.” The new version will automatically update on devices where CBP One was previously installed.
Frustrated with the current pace of arrests and deportations, the Trump administration has made “self-deportation” a key pillar of its immigration strategy. In February, it announced the creation of a mandatory registry for undocumented immigrants, which has yet to take effect. Under this measure, undocumented individuals over 14 years old who have been in the U.S. for more than 30 days would be required to provide personal information, fingerprints, and their place of residence.
Additionally, the Republican administration will prohibit undocumented immigrants from traveling on domestic flights, allowing them to board only planes returning to their home countries. Until now, undocumented individuals could travel within the U.S. using identification provided by CBP One. However, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) clarified that moving forward, they will only be allowed through airport checkpoints if their travel purpose is deportation or transfer between detention centers.
