Trump declares border emergency and scraps asylum app in immigration crackdown

Behind the Oval Office desk, President Donald Trump signed a series of executive orders and decrees aimed at cracking down on immigration. These orders covered a range of issues, from redefining birthright citizenship to declaring a national emergency over illegal immigration at the border, with Trump acting swiftly to deliver on his promises to tighten the U.S.-Mexico border.

However, some of these orders, particularly any seeking to alter the definition of birthright citizenship, are likely to face strong legal challenges. Trump had previously vowed that the Biden administration's "destructive" policies would be undone in "five minutes." Hours earlier, thousands of potential immigrants had their immigration appointments canceled due to the new administration’s abolishment of the CBP One app, used to schedule appointments to enter at border ports.

In his inaugural address, Trump vowed that “all illegal entries will be stopped,” and that millions of “criminal aliens” would be deported. He also signed an order declaring Mexican drug cartels as terrorist organizations. At an event at Capital One Arena in Washington, Trump formally rescinded nearly 80 administrative actions by the Biden administration, which he called “radical.” Earlier in the day, during his inaugural address at the U.S. Capitol, Trump said, "I have no higher duty than to defend our nation from threats and invasion."

As part of a broader plan, Trump administration officials said the president would direct the Department of Defense to “seal the border” and deploy additional resources and personnel, including counter-drone capabilities. Earlier, incoming Trump administration officials said the moves amounted to establishing “common sense immigration policies.” While the details of the orders were unclear, officials said Trump plans to end birthright citizenship, meaning that children of undocumented immigrants living in the U.S. would no longer automatically be considered U.S. citizens. However, birthright citizenship is enshrined in the U.S. Constitution and would require a two-thirds vote in both houses of Congress to change. The official provided no further details about how Trump plans to achieve this.

The new administration also moved quickly to abolish the CBP One mobile app, which had been used by immigrants to schedule appointments to present themselves at ports of entry. Biden administration officials argued that the app had helped reduce detentions at the border since it was first introduced in January 2023. It was the only legal pathway to request asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border. Now, the Customs and Border Protection website states that the app is “no longer available.” App users are also now seeing a message stating that “existing appointments scheduled through CBP One are no longer valid.” According to CBS News, a U.S. partner of the BBC, the Biden administration had scheduled around 30,000 immigrants to enter the U.S. in the next three weeks through CBP One. Other estimates suggest as many as 270,000 migrants were in Mexico awaiting an opportunity to use CBP One to enter the U.S.

In the Mexican border city of Tijuana, some migrants expressed frustration and dismay after learning of the demise of CBP One. "I hope God touches his [Trump’s] heart," said Oralia, a Mexican woman who fled cartel violence in her hometown with her son who suffers from epilepsy. "We really need help." She had been waiting for an appointment through CBP One for seven months. The new administration's decision to abolish CBP One was immediately met with legal challenges from the American Civil Liberties Union, which filed court papers requesting an immediate status conference on the matter.

Immigration advocacy groups also reacted angrily to Trump’s immigration orders. In a statement, Jenny Murray, president and CEO of the National Immigration Forum, said the orders were “disappointing but not surprising.” Ms. Murray said: “The anticipated orders will separate families and undermine our economy. They are not consistent with American values.” Greisa Martinez Rosas, executive director of United We Dream, a national immigrant youth organization, said the orders demonstrate that the administration “will be actively trying to destroy our lives for the next four years.” She added: “Trump’s promise of mass raids and deportations will have devastating consequences for communities across the country and will throw millions of families and individuals into chaos if our elected officials don’t immediately act to publicly push back.”