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What is the CBP One app that Vance claims is letting “illegal” Haitians in?

today2024-10-02 3

What is the CBP One app that Vance claims is letting “illegal” Haitians in?
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The CBP One app took center stage during the U.S. Vice-presidential debate on Tuesday, Oct.1 when Republican Senator J.D. Vance made controversial claims about its role in U.S. immigration. During a heated exchange, Vance responded to a moderator’s fact-check on his statements about border control, alleging the app allowed “illegal Haitians” to enter the U.S. by providing an easy route to asylum or legal status.

Vance’s remarks were cut short when moderators muted the candidates’ microphones and sparked a wave of interest in the app and its use by Haitian migrants.

What is the CBP One App?

Launched in 2020 by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the CBP One app streamlines processes for individuals seeking entry into the U.S. Its most notable feature is helping migrants, including asylum seekers, secure appointments to present their cases at the border. The app also supports services like scheduling inspection appointments at ports of entry.

How the CBP One App Works

The app allows migrants to submit information to U.S. authorities, facilitating asylum and humanitarian parole applications. Users can upload their details, schedule border crossing appointments, and initiate the legal process for asylum or parole. By organizing these steps, the app reduces the risks associated with unplanned border crossings, which can lead to immediate deportation or dangerous situations.

Vance’s Claims and the Controversy

In the debate, Senator Vance argued that the CBP One app “waves in” Haitian migrants and others, bypassing immigration laws. Vance’s explanation of the app misrepresents how it functions. CBP officers still have full authority to accept or deny any application based on the merits of the case.

Some critics of the app have portrayed it as a loophole that allows undocumented migrants, especially from Haiti, easy entry. However, the app merely facilitates legal processing. It does not automatically grant asylum or legal status. Migrants are still subject to screenings and must meet the legal requirements for asylum or humanitarian relief.

Vance’s critique of the app oversimplifies its role. While the app facilitates the organized processing of migrants, it does not bypass immigration laws. Every individual processed through the CBP One app must meet stringent legal criteria for asylum or parole, such as proving a credible fear of persecution.

The Role of Haitian Migrants

As Haiti continues to face instability, violence, and economic hardship, many Haitians have sought refuge in the U.S. In 2023 and 2024, the CBP One app became a crucial tool for Haitian migrants, offering a safer alternative to unauthorized border crossings. However, the app does not guarantee entry into the U.S.; it only provides an organized pathway to initiate legal proceedings.

A Tool for Orderly Processing, Not Open Borders

The CBP One app helps U.S. authorities bring order to a complex immigration system. For Haitian migrants and others, it provides a safer, more structured way to seek asylum. While Vance’s comments reflect broader concerns about U.S. immigration policies, the app is not a tool for open borders but a means to facilitate legal humanitarian protection.

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What is the CBP One app that Vance claims is letting “illegal” Haitians in? was first posted on October 2, 2024 at 2:36 pm.

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