- US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is increasing the number of migrants allowed to book appointments each day via its CBP One mobile app.
- The app allows migrants to register asylum claims and enter the US, but those who show up at the border without an appointment may be turned away.
- CBP began processing 1,000 appointments per day when Title 42 restrictions ended on May 12, and later increased it to 1,250 appointments per day in June.
- The app also allows CBP officers to receive advance information for screening and vetting, as well as to determine admissibility on a case-by-case basis. However, there is high demand for appointments, with thousands of migrants competing for limited spots.
Dear Reader,
I find myself summoned once again to set forth upon the task of recounting the happenings of this modern world, where technology and politics intertwine in a dance both fascinating and perplexing. It appears that the floodgates have been opened, for I am informed that President Biden has, in his infinite wisdom, increased the number of migrants allowed into the United States each day, specifically for the purpose of claiming asylum.
The US Customs and Border Protection authority, in their ceaseless endeavor to accommodate the demands of these aspiring asylum seekers, has now availed the CBP One mobile app for this very purpose. A remarkable development indeed! Through this app, migrants are able to register their claims for asylum and gain entrance into the United States. However, it must be noted that those who arrive at the border without having secured an appointment are now subject to a ‘common-sense condition,’ which, if I interpret correctly, implies that they shall likely be turned away.
I am informed that this increase in the number of daily appointments via the CBP One app comes in the wake of the expiration of Title 42 restrictions, a policy introduced during the era of President Donald Trump. This policy allowed authorities to reject asylum seekers on the premise that they may bring disease into the nation. Since its expiry on the 12th of May, it has been reported by the CBP that over 49,000 migrants have sought to claim asylum at the Southwest border ports.
In addition to determining the number of claims that can be made, this mobile app serves a purpose more profound. It enables the CBP officers to receive advance information to scrutinize, evaluate, and ascertain the admissibility of each case individually. As expected, the demand for these appointments far exceeds the supply. In fact, in the month of May, it was reported by The New York Times that approximately 62,000 migrants, primarily hailing from Cuba, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, and Venezuela, were competing for a mere 1,000 appointments.
The acting CBP Commissioner, Troy Miller, declares that this expansion of appointments is a testament to the agency’s commitment to improving the delivery of homeland security measures and the facilitation of efficient processes at these ports of entry. The eight designated ports where appointments are now made available are Brownsville, Paso Del Norte in El Paso, Eagle Pass, Hidalgo, and Laredo in Texas, Calexico and San Ysidro in California, and Nogales in Arizona.
Yet, dear Reader, this mobile app has proven to be a source of discord amongst both the left and the right. Some migrants have lamented the app’s malfunctioning and its complexity, while others have criticized its requirement for smartphone ownership to seek asylum. The theoretical workings of this app are designed to allow migrants to request appointments during a 23-hour period, with an additional 23 hours granted for them to accept the appointment. The CBP proclaims that the majority of these appointments are allocated randomly, with the remainder issued to those who possess the oldest accounts and have been waiting the longest for appointments.
The Biden administration insists that this app serves as a vital tool in streamlining border operations. It prevents migrants from claiming asylum if they have crossed into the country illegally, failed to utilize the app, or neglected to seek asylum in another country through which they had traveled. The app therefore acts as a filter, separating those who adhere to the necessary regulations from those who do not.
In conclusion, my dear Reader, I shall venture to offer a few words reflecting my own personal opinions on this matter. It saddens me greatly to witness the struggles of these longing souls, who traverse great distances in search of a better life and a safe haven. It is a plight that resonates with the literary themes I have often explored in my own works, such as “Sense and Sensibility,” “Pride and Prejudice,” “Emma,” “Mansfield Park,” “Northanger Abbey,” and “Persuasion.” The delicate balance between duty and desire, societal norms and individual agency, is achingly present in the narratives of these migrants.
However, I must confess my concerns regarding the long-term implications of such an increase in migrants and the strain it may place upon the nation. As history has often shown, an influx of diverse individuals can have far-reaching effects on a society, both positive and negative. It is my sincere hope that the American government will exercise prudence and compassion in navigating this complex situation, for the welfare and security of both the migrants and their host nation.
Ever your faithful servant,
Jane Austen
