In Ciudad Hidalgo, Mexico, Venezuelan migrant Yuri Carolina Meléndez recently arrived and swiftly downloaded the U.S. government’s app to request asylum appointments upon Mexican soil this week. The CBP One app, which has been in use, now extends its services to migrants in Mexico’s southern states bordering Guatemala as of Friday, enabling them to schedule appointments without the need to travel to central or northern Mexico.
Mexico has been urging the U.S. to broaden the app’s reach to the south to alleviate the pressure on migrants to continue northwards, especially towards Mexico City. Authorities have been aiming to contain migrants in southern regions away from the U.S. border, but the lack of job prospects and housing in places like Tapachula has been prompting migrants to move north instead.
By allowing migrants to wait for their appointments in the southern region, Mexico hopes to prevent them from risking encountering authorities without legal paperwork or falling prey to criminal groups targeting northbound migrants. Securing an appointment through the app theoretically allows migrants to move without interference.
The expansion of CBP One is receiving a positive reception from many, including 31-year-old Germin Alemán from Honduras, who plans to register for an appointment in Tapachula with his family. However, some migrants still feel compelled to journey farther north due to financial pressures, such as the need to repay debts or to seek better job opportunities.
CBP One has emerged as a significant tool in the U.S.’s efforts to manage the increasing demand for asylum along its southwestern border. With over 2.4 million encounters with migrants in the 2023 fiscal year, U.S. Customs and Border Protection revealed that more than 765,000 individuals have scheduled appointments for asylum since the app’s launch in January 2023, playing a role in the ongoing U.S. presidential election discourse.
Although the number of migrants crossing the U.S. border illegally has decreased since December 2023, with credit given to Mexico’s enforcement actions, the country sees the expansion of CBP One as a positive development. Despite Mexico’s endorsement, several nongovernmental organizations advocating for migrants and human rights have expressed concerns about the app limiting access to protection for individuals in need, dubbing it a violation of international law.
In southern Mexico, the region traditionally known for its peace has now become a battleground for drug cartels vying for control over routes used for smuggling activities, resulting in increased violence and instability, not only for migrants but also for local residents. As migrants in Ciudad Hidalgo consider whether to stay put or continue north, factors such as job availability and financial resources come into play, influencing their decisions regarding their onward journey.
The United Nations Refugee Agency remains cautious about the expansion of CBP One, acknowledging the potential reductions in risks for northbound migrants while emphasizing the importance of implementing a variety of measures to address migration challenges comprehensively. For many migrants like Noemí Ramírez from El Salvador, the ability to initiate their asylum process from Chiapas state in Mexico offers a glimmer of hope, prompting them to venture towards Tapachula with the prospect of securing an appointment without having to endure further risks along their journey.