A newly launched app by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is raising concerns among immigration advocates in Houston. The app, called CBP Home, encourages undocumented immigrants to voluntarily leave the country through an “intent to depart” feature.
The app is a modified version of CBP One, which previously allowed migrants to apply for legal entry into the U.S. under the Biden administration. However, this new functionality is part of a $200 million campaign by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) aimed at discouraging undocumented immigration.
Immigration Concerns Over New Policy
“The CBP Home app gives individuals the option to self-deport now, allowing them a potential legal return in the future,” said Secretary Kristi Noem. “If they don’t, we will find them, deport them, and they will never return.”
However, Cesar Espinoza, executive director of the Houston-based immigrant rights organization FIEL, questions the practicality and implications of the app.
“There are existing laws that state if you are in the U.S. unlawfully and leave, even voluntarily, you can still be barred from returning,” Espinoza explained.
He was referring to the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigration Responsibility Act (IIRIRA), which mandates that undocumented immigrants who overstay by 180 to 365 days must remain outside the U.S. for at least three years. Those who overstay for more than a year face a 10-year ban.
Community Reactions and Policy Impact
DHS officials argue that self-deportation is the safest option for undocumented individuals while also preserving law enforcement resources.
Espinoza, however, says the policy is causing distress in the undocumented community, particularly in Harris County.
“There’s a wave of emotions,” he said. “People are calling us in tears, feeling nervous and panicked because of what they’re seeing on social media.”
According to the Migration Policy Institute, an estimated 500,000 undocumented immigrants live in Harris County.
Legislative Efforts and Policy Shifts
Meanwhile, several Houston-area lawmakers have introduced new bills in the current legislative session aimed at addressing illegal immigration, including Senate Bill 8 and Senate Bill 825.
Additionally, nearly one million people had applied for asylum interviews through the original CBP One app, but those appointments have now been canceled.
As the debate over immigration policies intensifies, advocates continue to push for clarity on the implications of the new app and its impact on affected communities.
