HOUSTON – Arianny Acedo says she followed every step to enter the U.S. legally.
She didn’t cross the border illegally. She applied through the CBP One app, flew into the country from Chile with her husband, and began building a new life with the help of a sponsor — her sister in Houston. Like many others, she believed she had done everything right.
Now, that legal status is being taken away.
“I don’t know if I leave my house and I’m going to get arrested, and I haven’t done anything wrong,” said Acedo. “I’m here legally. I’ve done everything. So, I’m scared. We can’t sleep well because it’s causing us the stress of knowing — ¿Qué va a pasar con nosotros el día de mañana? [What is going to happen to us tomorrow?]"
What is CBP One, and what’s changing?
The CBP One app was launched in Jan. 2023 under the Biden administration as a way to streamline and organize legal entry at ports of entry along the southern U.S. border.
Through the app, migrants could request appointments, undergo background checks, and secure a U.S.-based sponsor. More than 900,000 people have entered the country legally through this system, typically receiving two-year humanitarian parole and the ability to work during that time.
But this week, the Department of Homeland Security began revoking that parole. Migrants who entered through CBP One are now receiving notifications to self-deport immediately — or risk future consequences, including deportation and ineligibility for future relief.
The app has since been rebranded as CBP Home, and the new interface allows migrants to report their departure to federal authorities.
SEE ALSO: ‘At least for a little while’: Venezuelans in Houston react to judge’s ruling blocking end of TPS
Attorney says families are being blindsided
One immigration attorney we spoke to says the move is devastating for people who believed the process they followed was legal and lasting.
“Most of these people sold their homes in their countries, they left their work,” the attorney said. “Now they’re being told, ‘drop everything and leave.’ Self-deport or you will face consequences.”
“But if you are seeking asylum and you have a good asylum claim, you probably can win your case and stay here,” the attorney added. “That’s something that we need to see—if the government is going to let them apply and see their day in court for their asylum.”
Congressman Weber: The program created a loophole
Republican Congressman Randy Weber says the CBP One program undermined the integrity of the immigration system.
“What the app did, Ricky… it made it where actually some of those who were coming up could go around the system,” said Weber. “They didn’t have to stop and be interviewed necessarily, like the bulk of them should have been. The app’s not going to look in your eyes… you can put whatever information you want. It basically let them circumvent a more secure process.”
Weber says he understands the emotional stories but believes immigration decisions must be made abroad through proper vetting — not at the U.S. border.
“My heart goes out to all these other countries that are less fortunate than we are,” Weber said. “But those decisions need to be made there. The border patrol can’t make those decisions for them. They get overrun, and it’s a sad thing when you think about it.”
Arianny: ‘We’re not all bad’
Arianny says she’s now applied for asylum and Temporary Protected Status. She says she’s proud of the contributions she’s made since arriving in Houston — and wants people to know that migrants like her are part of the economy, not a threat to it.
“We lend a service to this country in a positive way,” she said. “We pay rent, services, taxes. What would happen if we all left? Where will this country go?”
She also addressed fears about crime and stigma.
“Not everyone is from the gang Tren de Aragua. Not everyone is bad,” she said. “And I ask that they don’t throw us all in the same sack.”
What happens next?
For now, Arianny and thousands of others are stuck in limbo. Some have been advised to apply for asylum quickly if they haven’t already, while others are waiting to see whether court challenges will halt the policy shift.
“I still have hope,” said Arianny. “But right now, it’s like having one foot in and one foot out.”
