CBP One App Expands to Southern Mexico, Reshaping Migrant Journey
U.S. extends asylum application access to Mexico's southern border, aiming to manage migration flow. Migrants face tough choices between waiting for appointments or continuing northward, amid safety concerns and economic pressures.
The U.S. government has expanded access to its CBP One app for asylum appointments to Mexico's southern border states, effective August 23, 2024. This move aims to manage the flow of migrants and provide an alternative to the dangerous northward journey.
Yuri Carolina Meléndez, a Venezuelan migrant, exemplifies the immediate impact of this policy change. Upon entering Mexico, she promptly downloaded the app, expressing cautious optimism about its effectiveness. This expansion allows migrants in Mexico's southernmost states bordering Guatemala to apply for appointments, a change from the previous requirement of being in central or northern Mexico.
Mexico's government has been advocating for this expansion, hoping to alleviate the pressure on migrants to travel north. The strategy aims to encourage migrants to wait for their appointments in the south, potentially reducing risks associated with unauthorized travel and exploitation by criminal organizations.
"That is going to help us a lot"
However, the expansion has faced criticism from human rights organizations. In an open letter to the Mexican government, dozens of NGOs argued that the CBP One system violates international law by limiting access to U.S. territory for those seeking protection. They highlighted concerns about migrants being stuck in Mexico for extended periods, often in unsafe conditions.
The situation in southern Mexico is complex, with migrants facing difficult choices. Some, like Germin Alemán from Honduras, plan to wait for appointments in Tapachula. Others feel compelled to continue north due to financial pressures or safety concerns.
The impact of the CBP One app has been significant since its launch in January 2023. Over 765,000 people have scheduled appointments through the app, with the U.S. processing 1,500 appointments daily. This system has become a crucial component of U.S. efforts to manage asylum requests along its southwestern border, especially after the temporary suspension of the asylum process for those crossing illegally in June 2023.
While the app's expansion offers a potential solution, it also highlights the ongoing challenges of migration management. The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) emphasizes the need for diverse measures, including addressing root causes in countries of origin and providing protection in transit countries.
As migrants like Noemí Ramírez from El Salvador make decisions based on this new policy, the effectiveness of the CBP One expansion in southern Mexico remains to be seen. The coming months will reveal whether this approach can successfully balance the needs of migrants with the complexities of international migration management.
