On January 20, 2025 — President Donald Trump’s first day in office — his administration shut down the CBP One app, which in turn canceled approximately 30,000 existing CBP One appointments held by migrants waiting to access ports of entry.
In March 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) launched the new CBP Home app, which is designed primarily to encourage undocumented immigrants to voluntarily report their intent to leave the United States.
Here’s what you need to know about the CBP Home app:
- CBP Home is a mobile app developed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection that encourages undocumented immigrants to notify the government of their plans to leave the U.S. voluntarily.
- If you are in removal proceedings, using the CBP Home app to notify the U.S. government of your intention to depart the U.S. will not prevent an order of removal in absentia if you fail to appear for a hearing in immigration court. Missing your court hearing could prevent you from being able to return to the U.S. in the future.
- Anyone in the US considering using the CBP Home app to register their departure from the US should speak to a lawyer first.
- The app cannot be used to apply for asylum or humanitarian parole.
- The app is available in three languages: English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole
- Use of the app is voluntary and not required for undocumented individuals at this time.
What is the CBP Home app and what is it used for?
The CBP Home app is a mobile tool developed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to facilitate easier access to immigration and travel-related services. One of its main features is the “Intent to Depart” function, which encourages undocumented immigrants present in the U.S. to notify the government of their plans to leave the country voluntarily.
According to CBP, individuals without legal status who use the app’s “Intent to Depart” feature may receive benefits such as financial assistance, travel document support, and a $1,000 stipend upon confirmed departure. Additionally, participants may be deprioritized for detention and removal by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) while preparing to leave. They still must appear to any upcoming court immigration appearances.
The app allows travelers to apply for a provisional I-94 entry form before arriving at a land border crossing, expediting the entry process. This feature could possibly reduce processing time at the port-of-entry.
Bus operators can use the app to create and submit advance traveler manifests in compliance with CBP’s Advance Passenger Information Systems requirements.
Individuals arriving at an airport of entry can request inspections for items such as food, biological materials, pets, or footwear that has been exposed to farms or livestock.
Who can use the CBP Home app and where can I download it?
The CBP Home app is free to use and available to everyone who has access to a mobile device. The CBP Home app is available for download on the Apple App Store and Google Play.
What’s the difference between CBP Home and CBP One?
CBP One was an app used by travelers, asylum seekers and trade users to schedule appointments at the border and manage entry-related tasks. It was used by people seeking humanitarian entry at land ports of entry along the southern border. The app also offered tools to track I-94 travel history, check immigration case statuses, and access customs services for commercial users.
The Trump administration shut down CBP One in January 2025 and replaced it with CBP Home as part of a broader overhaul of immigration enforcement and processing priorities that shift resources and emphasis away from providing humanitarian relief and orderly pathways as alternatives to irregular migration, and toward enforcement and removal.
The CBP Home app is targeted at individuals already in the United States, particularly those who are undocumented, and primarily seeks to encourage self-deportation.
What documents or information do immigrants need to submit in order to use the CBP Home app?
App users — including those looking to submit an Intent to Depart — must provide the following information:
- First and last name
- Date of birth
- Sex
- Phone number
- Country of citizenship
- Country of destination
- Alien registration number, if applicable
The app will also prompt users to take and upload a clear self-photo using their phone’s camera.
Can I submit my immigration documents through the CBP Home app?
No. The CBP One app, which previously enabled undocumented individuals to submit advance information or schedule appointments at Southern border ports of entry, was discontinued as of January 20, 2025.
The app now serves different purposes. If you’re seeking to submit immigration documents or schedule border appointments, the CBP Home app does not support these functions. You must instead consult the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website or contact an immigration attorney for the most up-to-date procedures and alternative methods.
How does the app handle biometric information or photos?
The app only accepts facial photos taken directly with your phone’s camera.
Is CBP Home mandatory for undocumented immigrants in the United States?
No, the CBP Home app is not mandatory for undocumented immigrants in the United States. It is a voluntary tool provided by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to allegedly facilitate self-deportation for those who choose to leave the country on their own terms.
While the app offers incentives for self-deportation, participation is entirely optional. Undocumented individuals are not legally required to use CBP Home, and choosing not to use the app does not, in itself, result in penalties.
In fact, if you are in removal proceedings, using the CBP Home app to notify the US government of your intention to depart the U.S. will not prevent an order of removal in absentia if you fail to appear for a hearing in immigration court. Missing your court hearing could prevent you from being able to return to the U.S. in the future.
Given the complexities and potential legal implications, undocumented immigrants are strongly advised to consult with a qualified immigration attorney before making decisions related to self-deportation or using the CBP Home app.
What languages is the CBP Home app available in?
The CBP Home app is currently available in English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole.
Can I use CBP Home to apply for asylum or humanitarian parole?
No, you cannot use the app to apply for asylum or humanitarian parole in the U.S.
