What does the extension of a program to request asylum in the US consist of?
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(CNN Spanish) --
Migrants seeking asylum at the southern border of the United States now have the United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) application available to schedule an appointment to apply asylum in the US, only if they meet the humanitarian exception to Title 42.
Title 42 is a public health policy implemented during the covid-19 pandemic that allows immigration agents to quickly return some migrants seeking asylum in the US to Mexico.
Here's what you need to know about the CBP One app and how it can help migrants seeking to reach the US.
What is the CBP One app for?
The app is not new.
In fact, it was launched in October 2020 as a portal that offers certain services from the US Customs and Border Protection Office, especially for migrants who need certain services.
The app seeks to "improve the security of the US borders" as well as "enhance legitimate travel and commerce" at the border, according to CBP.
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Until now, the application allowed ground travelers to submit their travel information in advance before crossing the US border. It also allowed travelers arriving by air to request an inspection of biological and agricultural products upon arrival in the country, and that travelers of any kind will request their travel history, among other services.
"Using CBP One will streamline the port of entry experience, can reduce wait times, and allow for a safe and orderly process for ports of entry and all travelers," CBP says.
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So what's new?
As of this January 12, the application will allow thousands of migrants who are stranded at the southern border of the US for not having the corresponding documents to enter the country, to schedule appointments to request asylum in that country based on a humanitarian exception to Title 42 at certain land ports of entry.
The idea is for applicants to enter their biographical information through the app instead of going directly to a port of entry.
The app sends certain information in advance, for the applicant to attest that "they, their partner, or an accompanying child, meet specific vulnerability criteria and schedule an appointment to appear for inspection at a participating port of entry." .
"Through the CBP One app, we are also providing a new mechanism for non-US citizens to schedule appointments to appear at ports of entry, making it easier for safe and orderly arrivals."
What is the app NOT for?
The application IS NOT the means to make an asylum application.
In fact, the CBP One app does not guarantee that a Title 42 exception will be granted, according to an agency statement.
“The app is designed to discourage people from congregating near the border and creating unsafe conditions,” said Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.
From when are appointments available?
The Department of Homeland Security says that the appointments will be available from January 12 and the first appointments will be from January 18, 2023.
Some travelers have been lucky to request the appointments, and for others it has presented a challenge in the first hours that this tool was launched, reported CNN.
New appointments available for the next 14 days will be posted each day at 9 am ET, according to a CBP roadmap.
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What ports of entry are available?
The ports of entry that are available for appointments in Texas are Brownsville, Eagle Pass, Hidalgo, Laredo, and El Paso;
Nogales in Arizona;
as well as Calexico West and San Ysidro in California, according to the CBP website.
According to CBP, the application is only for migrants located in central and northern Mexico.
How to get an appointment in the app?
The CBP One app is available for download on the App Store and Google Play digital stores and has English and Spanish versions.
Registration:
If you are not registered yet, you must create a user with an email and a password.
Who are you?:
Afterwards, the application will send you to the personal identification module called "Who are you?", where you must identify yourself as a traveler (in the case that you are seeking asylum in the US) and then give the option "Land", in the case of travelers who intend to cross by land into the country.
Launch module of the CBP One app. (Credit: CBP)
Advance information:
Then you must choose the option "Send advance information" and choose the language of your preference.
Traveler information:
The next step is to fill in the information of all travelers from the same family who are traveling together.
Select the "Add Individual" option.
There you must answer data such as names, surnames, date and city of birth, nationality, country of residence and contact information.
You must also take a photo of each of the people who request the appointment by family group.
Destination:
In the next module you must provide a residence or destination address in the United States, as well as an emergency contact there.
Then you must provide details of previous residence in another country.
Request an appointment:
Next you must choose the date, time and port of entry for the appointment with CBP.
Confirmation:
In case of making an appointment, you will have a confirmation screen where confirmation numbers will be shown for each person in the family, as well as the appointment information.
The appointment data will also arrive at the email you previously provided.
Confirmation module of the CBP One app. (Credit: CBP)
What will happen when I arrive at the appointment?
When the traveler arrives for their appointment at the ports of entry, a photo will be taken to confirm the information provided in advance in the app that will "facilitate the process at the port of entry," according to the CBP statement.
But again, this is NOT a guarantee that an exception to current Title 42 will be granted and that asylum will be guaranteed.
“Persons who do not have a legal basis to remain in the United States will be subject to immediate removal or deportation,” Mayorkas said in a January 5, 2023 memo.
According to the Department of State, although the immigration programs of the US Government are allowing legal and organized entry for certain citizens of some countries, expedited deportation is also "increasing and reinforcing" for those who do not have "the fear to be persecuted or tortured or found to have no credible fear" after an interview with an asylum officer.
What happens to the CBP One app if Title 42 is voided?
According to the State Department, the application "will be used to help ensure safe and orderly processing at ports of entry."
Who is this dating program for?
The app is designed to discourage people of different nationalities from congregating near the border and creating unsafe conditions, Mayorkas said.
And under Title 42, people who try to enter the US without proper documents will still be removed.
However, citizens of Ukraine and Venezuela, and more recently those from Cuba, Haiti, and Nicaragua are covered by a program by the government of US President Joe Biden to accept up to 30,000 migrants per month.
The measure includes a plan to expel migrants from those countries who evade US laws.
"Citizens of Venezuela, Cuba, Haiti, and Nicaragua who do not use this process, attempt to enter the United States without authorization, and cannot establish a legal basis for remaining will be deported or returned to Mexico, which will accept the return of 30,000 people for month that they do not use these new roads," says the US State Department.
asylum in the United States
