Migrants seeking asylum in the United States found themselves stranded at the border after the sudden shutdown of the CBP One immigration processing app. President Donald Trump's decision to close the app left many, like Jose Guillermo Cabrera and his family, in a state of uncertainty. Cabrera, who had been waiting in Ciudad Juarez for several months, finally secured an appointment for early January, only to have it canceled. The abrupt cancellation forced migrants to seek guidance from local Mexican public agencies, leaving them in a precarious situation.
In the wake of the app's closure, many migrants, including Cabrera, attempted to explain their predicament to US immigration authorities at the Paso del Norte bridge. Migrant shelters in Ciudad Juarez have stepped up to provide essential services such as shelter, food, and psychological support to those stranded. Local officials are collaborating to address the growing migrant crisis, with shelters operating at 40% capacity, according to Enrique Serrano, a coordinator from Chihuahua state's population agency.
“We have to tell it like it is, sadly, all appointments are suspended as well as any possibility of getting one” – Enrique Serrano
The closure of the CBP One app has left many migrants desperate and defeated. However, some remain hopeful. Many Mexican border towns are expanding protective spaces in anticipation of potential mass deportations from the United States. Migrants are being advised that it may be unrealistic to continue attempting to reach the US under current conditions.
Among those affected is Erlianny Colombie, who fled Cuba due to political persecution. After living in Tapachula, Mexico, Colombie traveled to Ciudad Juarez with hopes of securing asylum.
“We got lucky, we got an appointment” – Erlianny Colombie
“So, we bought bus tickets, we obtained permission to move through Mexico, a lot of sacrifice, we did everything legally” – Erlianny Colombie
Despite understanding the reasoning behind Trump's decision, Colombie is among those pleading for reconsideration for individuals who already had appointments. Others, like Oswal Paredes from Venezuela, share similar stories of fleeing persecution and seeking a better future.
“We all have a story to tell. I fled Venezuela because I was being persecuted, please give us our appointments back” – Oswal Paredes
The emotional toll on the migrants is significant. Ivonne Lopez, a worker at one of the shelters, describes the emotional devastation seen among those affected.
“Right now, they are emotionally destroyed, after battling so much, all the walking, a lot of them crossed the Darién Gap” – Ivonne Lopez
“They want a sign of hope, they want to know what’s going to happen with them, they had their appointment canceled, but is there another option” – Ivonne Lopez
Local authorities are encouraging migrants to remain calm. Enrique Serrano emphasized that there are no instructions for raids on the Mexican side and assured that proper treatment will be provided.
“Migrants here should stay calm, there are no instructions for raids here on the Mexican side, the instructions we’ve been given is to give them proper treatment” – Enrique Serrano
The situation at the border remains tense. Migrants continue to face challenges while holding onto hope for a resolution that allows them to pursue their dreams in the United States.
