Migrant lives in fear of deportation following immigration app change
EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — The Trump Administration intensified its immigration enforcement measures since its second term started more than a year ago. For asylum seekers hoping to cross into the U.S., the American Dream is a stone throw away.
Joel Vargas legally crossed into the U.S. from Venezuela. He shared his difficulties using the CBP One App with ABC-7. The app allows migrants to begin the process of requesting asylum.
After six months, Vargas said he felt an immense joy when he got an appointment and crossed into the U.S. In Colorado, he now works in construction.
Later, Vargas’ phone received a notification offering him to self-deport.
The Trump Administration changed the CBP One app into CBP home. It no longer takes asylum appointment requests and instead helps migrants self-deport to their countries.
Jason Stevens, who works with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in El Paso, said if migrants self-deport, they may be allowed to come back into the U.S.
According to Vargas, the app said migrants would have to pay almost $1,000 a day if they don’t voluntarily self-deport.
Even though he crossed into the U.S. legally, Vargas said he lives in fear of being deported back to Venezuela.
ABC-7’s Heriberto Perez first met Vargas in Juárez when a high number of migrants arrived in the city. He was one o many camping the streets while waiting to secure an appointment through the CBP One app.
Vargas shares his full story in “Legal Limbo.” Watch it Thursday at ABC-7 at 6.
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