Kristi Noem, poised to lead the Department of Homeland Security under President-elect Donald Trump, has announced a major policy shift.
Noem intends to terminate the CBP One app and related programs, affecting nearly 1.5 million immigrants who have used these services to enter the United States, Fox News reported.
Trump-nominated political figure Noem shared her plans during a key examination with the Senate Homeland Security Committee. She plans to halt the CBP One app immediately after assuming her role, aligning with her broader ambitions to reform immigration policies. Developers originally designed the app for cargo inspections, but officials controversially expanded it in 2023 to assist migrants with entry appointments.
During the Senate hearing, Noem emphasized her intent to dismantle current systems that critics argue facilitate illegal migration. She acknowledged border security as an ongoing challenge, stating the border is currently insecure. Despite this, she assured lawmakers that the shift in administration would bring solutions, highlighting the president-elect's commitments to border security.
Approximately 936,500 appointments have been made using the CBP One app, allowing migrants to be processed under a specific parole system. This has included a notable influx through processes that fast-tracked entry for individuals from several countries, notably Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela.
Noem highlighted the need to maintain existing data from the app to track entrants more effectively, ensuring follow-up and management of those within the U.S. "There's data and information in there that we will preserve so that we can ensure we know who's coming into this country and who's already here," she explained, stressing the importance of this information.
The programs in question have received mixed reviews; the Biden administration defended them as modes for promoting lawful migration. In contrast, opposition has viewed them as new avenues for undocumented entry under the guise of legality. Noem is particularly critical of these initiatives, citing insufficient vetting processes and questioning their legality.
The parole method initially included Venezuelans in late 2022, and officials broadened it in January 2023 to cover other nationals. Since last January, tens of thousands have utilized this streamlined entry within the set limit.
Kristi Noem recalibrated the evaluation process for these cases, advocating for a more rigorous system aligned with legal frameworks. She emphasized returning to a case-by-case evaluation of parole cases and highlighted the importance of increasing immigration court capacity.
If confirmed, Noem's agenda includes enhancing security along both the southern and northern borders, alongside instituting a large-scale deportation initiative. This comprehensive plan will see her working closely with Tom Homan, the assigned "border czar," to implement these measures effectively.
Noem advocates for a more traditional approach to immigration, focusing more on legal processes and adequately resourcing the systems in place. In her view, the current administration's policies lack the necessary checks and create pathways that could be exploited, leading to a breakdown in legal order.
The changes proposed will see a return to more conventional immigration frameworks, emphasizing thorough review and increased judicial oversight in handling new arrivals. This strategy aims to restore the system's integrity and ensure the adherence to immigration laws as delineated.
Kristi Noem’s announcement marks a significant departure from existing immigration policies, proposing to phase out the CBP One app in favor of more structured and less ambiguous processes.
As preparations for the presidential transition continue, it remains to be seen how these proposed changes will unfold in practice.
