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The Department of Homeland Security has officially begun revoking parole protections for nearly one million migrants who entered the United States through the Biden-era CBP One app, ordering them to self-deport immediately or face arrest and permanent removal.
Some shit you should know before you read: If you’re unaware, the CBP One app was a digital tool launched by the Biden administration in 2023 to “manage legal entry” into the United States by allowing migrants to schedule appointments at official ports of entry along the southern border. Those who entered through CBP One were not classified as illegal immigrants because they used a “lawful” process, were granted temporary parole, and often received work authorization while their asylum cases were pending. The Biden administration promoted the app as a way to reduce chaos at the border by encouraging orderly immigration and discouraging dangerous illegal crossings. Republicans criticized the program, arguing it exploited the presidential parole authority—intended for use on a case-by-case basis—by applying it broadly to hundreds of thousands of migrants, effectively bypassing standard immigration channels and contributing to what they described as a worsening border crisis.
What’s going on now: In an announcement, the Department of Homeland Security confirmed it is revoking the parole status of migrants who entered the US through the CBP One app, effectively requiring hundreds of thousands of individuals to leave the country immediately. While the exact number of those impacted remains unclear, DHS officials have indicated that nearly 1 million people could be subject to this change. Many of those affected are from Honduras, El Salvador, Mexico, Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela—countries whose citizens previously qualified for temporary entry under Biden-era programs.
These individuals had been granted two-year parole, allowing them to live and work legally in the US as they awaited immigration court hearings. Now, they are being instructed to self-deport immediately using the newly renamed CBP Home app, the same digital platform through which they originally entered.
DHS has issued formal termination notices via email, warning migrants of the consequences of noncompliance. One such notice reviewed by CBS states, “If you do not depart the United States immediately you will be subject to potential law enforcement actions that will result in your removal from the United States — unless you have otherwise obtained a lawful basis to remain here.” The agency added that individuals who fail to leave voluntarily will be “found, removed, and permanently barred from reentry.”
In a statement justifying the move, DHS said, “Canceling these paroles is a promise kept to the American people to secure our borders and protect national security,” while stressing that Secretary Kristi Noem has the full legal authority to revoke parole under federal immigration law.
This all comes as the Trump administration has ramped up efforts to dismantle other Biden-era immigration programs, including the CHNV parole initiative, which allowed over 500,000 Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans to enter the US legally with a financial sponsor. These individuals have now been given until April 24 to self-deport or face arrest and removal.
