In a dramatic policy shift, the U.S.-Mexico border has effectively been closed to asylum seekers within hours of President Donald Trump’s return to office, marking a significant departure from previous immigration protocols. This unprecedented move has stranded thousands of hopeful migrants, throwing them into a state of uncertainty.
This closure stems from a convergence of policies — one enacted by former President Joe Biden and the other introduced by Trump — that together have nearly sealed off the southern border to those seeking refuge. With refugee admissions also temporarily suspended, pathways for migrants seeking safety in the United States have dwindled to almost none.
Under the Biden administration, asylum for individuals who crossed the border illegally was heavily restricted. Biden’s executive action faced criticism from Democrats and immigrant advocacy groups. Despite these limitations, migrants could still utilize the CBP One app to schedule appointments at official ports of entry. However, mere minutes after Trump’s inauguration, access to this digital platform was terminated, leaving many stranded.
Luis, a Venezuelan migrant residing in Ciudad Juarez for nine months, expressed disappointment to Journalist, lamenting that his scheduled appointment through the CBP One app had been canceled. Another Venezuelan migrant, Yenyile Díaz, shared her family’s distress after their long-awaited appointments were similarly revoked.
“This is a seismic shift,” remarked Andrew Selee, president of the Migration Policy Institute, emphasizing that Trump’s actions had all but extinguished legal options for asylum seekers. “The Biden administration’s restrictions provided limited avenues. Today, there’s virtually no protection route at the border or en route to the United States.”
Republican lawmakers have long argued that the asylum process has been misused, with many migrants purportedly claiming asylum for economic motives rather than genuine persecution or violence. Asylum, by definition, offers refuge to those fleeing danger and unable to safely return to their home countries — a process that can span years and often ends in denial.
In a sweeping executive order signed on Monday, President Trump suspended U.S. asylum law, citing what he termed an “invasion at the southern border.” The order mandates federal agencies to “repel, repatriate, or remove” individuals attempting to cross into the U.S.
“The complete dismantling of asylum avenues, even for children and families fleeing life-threatening situations, is a sobering and unprecedented policy,” said Lee Gelernt, an attorney with the ACLU who previously contested Trump’s immigration measures.
The controversial Title 42 policy, introduced during the pandemic, also restricted asylum and allowed swift expulsions. Although Biden’s administration faced legal challenges over it, Trump inherits a border where asylum applications had already decreased substantially.
Historically, Trump’s hardline rhetoric initially deterred migration, but crossings later surged as migrants adapted to new enforcement strategies. Homeland Security officials warn of a possible recurrence.
“Migrants might pause temporarily, but most remain determined,” a Homeland Security official explained. “If they’ve come this far, they’re likely to attempt crossing eventually.”
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For some, hope is rapidly fading. Johana Conde, a Cuban migrant waiting in Piedras Negras, voiced her uncertainty. “They say they want legal immigrants,” she noted, “but we followed the legal process. Now, we have no idea what happens next.”