1776Reporting
Close to 200 migrants stranded at the San Ysidro border checkpoint are refusing to leave after their CBP One immigration appointments were abruptly canceled on President Trump’s first day back in office. These appointments, long awaited by hopeful asylum seekers, were scrapped as part of sweeping measures to halt the CBP One app, a tool previously used by the Biden administration to process migrant entries.
Erica Ramirez, 50, traveled from southern Mexico with her family, including her son, his wife, and their two young children. For nearly a year, they waited for their appointment, only to have it revoked on the day they were set to meet immigration officials. “We had an appointment for tomorrow at 1 p.m.,” she shared, holding back tears. “We will keep waiting here until we get an appointment.”
Ramirez is among many migrants left in limbo as the CBP One app, introduced in January 2023, was shuttered under Trump’s new policies. The app had facilitated over 900,000 migrants’ entries during the latter half of Biden’s presidency, with more than 1,400 daily appointments scheduled. The decision to dismantle the app has reignited tensions at the border.
Dreams Derailed by Policy Shifts
Luis Miguel Alvarez, 22, and Adriana Lopez, 20, were among the unlucky few with an appointment scheduled just an hour after the app ceased operations. The Cuban couple fled their homeland, citing persecution for their political beliefs. “I am devastated that our appointment was canceled, but we still have hope,” Alvarez said.
In Cuba, Lopez was pursuing a degree in robotics engineering, while Alvarez studied nuclear engineering. Both were forced to abandon their studies after facing harassment from the government. Seeking refuge in Mexico City since late 2023, they finally secured an appointment with CBP One—only to have it canceled as they prepared to cross into the U.S.
“We understand that the new president wants to defend his country and its borders, but we are not criminals,” Alvarez explained. “We want to study, work, and be of help to the United States.”
A Desperate Stand
The policy shift has left many migrants stranded, desperate, and uncertain of what lies ahead. Footage from the Mexican side of the border shows individuals weeping as they learned their appointments were voided. For others, like Ramirez and her family, giving up is not an option.
“We will sleep on this very site,” Ramirez declared, standing with her two granddaughters, aged 1 and 4 months. “The state where I am from, Guerrero, is very, very dangerous. There is a lot of violence.”
Ramirez, a cleaner, and her son, a builder, hope for safety and opportunity in the United States. “We are going to America for a better life, fleeing from crime and the fear we have in our own country,” she said.
Clinging to Hope
Despite the chaos, many migrants remain steadfast in their commitment to enter the United States legally. Alvarez and Lopez echoed this sentiment, rejecting the idea of crossing the border unlawfully. “It is not an option to break the law,” Alvarez stated firmly. “We want to enter America the right way, which is why we have been waiting since 2023.”
The scene at San Ysidro underscores the human toll of abrupt policy changes. For those like Ramirez, Alvarez, and Lopez, hope remains a fragile lifeline as they stand their ground, waiting for the opportunity they were promised.
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