Booker Expresses Concerns over CBP Mobile Application for Asylum Seekers

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and Chair of the Subcommittee on Criminal Justice and Counterterrorism, expressed concern in a letter to U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) about the CBP One mobile application being the sole method for asylum seekers to pursue appointments. The new process and use of the app has experienced various technical problems since DHS increased its use in January.

"Since the app became the primary method for seeking asylum and humanitarian parole in January 2023, it has been plagued by inconsistencies that have created an inequitable process," wrote Senator Booker in a letter toDHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas andActing CBPCommissioner Troy Miller. "U.S Customs and Border Protection (CBP) releases a limited number of appointments each day. Successfully receiving an appointment is akin to winning the lottery for the thousands of migrants living in camps waiting to secure an interview slot. Beyond the odds of getting an appointment, technical issues make it virtually impossible for many migrants to access the app - antiquated devices, poor cell phone service, or language access have all become barriers."

Senator Booker expressed concerns over the inherent discrimination that may arise from the CBP One even if the technical issues were resolved.

"Even if the CBP One app was as efficient, user friendly, fair, and inclusive as possible - which I hope one day it will be - it would still be inherently discriminatory. To use the app, a person must have a working cell phone, a reliable internet connection, and must have adequate resources and be in good enough health to safely stay in a single location either near the southern border or in their country of origin. This situation is not the reality for asylum seekers whose lives are threatened in their home country or in northern Mexico. It is not a reality for pregnant women, who do not qualify for a humanitarian exception to the CBP One appointment process. And it is not a reality for asylum seekers who travel to our border or stay in their country of origin but do not have phone or internet access, or are unable to use a cell phone," continued Senator Booker.

Senator Booker also expressed disappointment that proper precautions were not taken before the roll out of CBP One and urged for more improvements to the application.

"As your agency prepares for the long-overdue end of Title 42 expulsions in May 2023, I strongly support increasing the number of appointments available on CBP One to accommodate as many legitimate asylum claims of migrants who cannot return to their homes. I also encourage you explore additional pathways that would allow people without the resources necessary to secure CBP One appointments to safely claim asylum at ports of entry," concluded Senator Booker.

The full text of the letter can be found here.