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Harris at the border: immigration & 2024 politics
On Friday, Vice President Kamala Harris made her first visit to the Arizona-Mexico border as a presidential candidate.
LOS ANGELES - During the vice presidential debate, immigration became a heated topic, leading to a brief microphone muting of both Senator J.D. Vance and Governor Tim Walz.
The back-and-forth focused on the CBP One app, a critical tool in U.S. border policy. Vance criticized the app, describing it as a way for migrants to obtain legal status "at the wave of a Kamala Harris open border wand."
However, moderator Margaret Brennan fact-checked his claims, pointing out that many immigrants using the app entered the U.S. legally.
"Since you’re fact checking me, I think it’s important to say what’s actually going on. So there’s an application called the CBP One app where you can go on and apply for asylum or apply for parole and be granted legal status at the wave of a Kamala Harris open border wand," he said before having his mic cut off.
What is the CBP One app?
CBP One is a free mobile app launched by U.S. Customs and Border Protection in 2020. Initially designed for simple travel-related services like scheduling cargo inspections, it has since evolved into a crucial tool for migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border. Today, asylum seekers must use the app to schedule appointments at U.S. ports of entry and submit their biometric data for processing.
While the app aims to streamline the immigration process, it has faced issues like technical glitches and limited access for migrants in remote areas.
Why is the CBP One app controversial?
The app has stirred debate due to:
- Privacy concerns: Critics are wary of the app’s use of biometric data and GPS tracking, fearing misuse of this information.
- Racial bias: Reports indicate that the app struggles to recognize darker skin tones during its "liveness" checks.
- Access issues: Migrants without smartphones or internet access are at a disadvantage since the app is the only way to schedule asylum appointments.
Is CBP One used at U.S. airports?
Some politicians, like Senator Josh Hawley, have raised concerns that the app is used to allow migrants to board flights without proper identification.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) questions witnesses about the CBP One app during a hearing of the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement in the Cannon House Office Building on Capitol Hill on June 06, 2023 in Washi … (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
However, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) clarified that all noncitizens must undergo enhanced screenings, including biometric checks, to confirm their identity before boarding.
In September, former President Donald Trump pledged to end what he called the "migrant invasion" if re-elected, including the suspension of the CBP One app, which he labeled the "Kamala phone app for smuggling illegals."
How does the CBP One app affect the 2024 election?
As immigration remains a hot-button issue for the 2024 election, the CBP One app has come under increased scrutiny. Critics, including Vance and Hawley, argue that the app enables unauthorized migration. However, supporters say it creates a more organized and efficient way to manage the influx of asylum seekers at the southern border.