Mexico will permit migrants with a CBP One appointment to transit through its territory to any of the eight designated U.S. entry points enabled by this platform. A joint statement from the National Institute of Migration (INM) and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced that the measure aims to ensure migrants can move "in an orderly, regular, and safe manner" to the eight CBP One entry points: Matamoros, Reynosa, and Nuevo Laredo in Tamaulipas; Piedras Negras, Coahuila; Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua; Nogales, Sonora; Mexicali, and Tijuana, Baja California.
On Friday, August 23, the reach of the CBP One application, used to manage asylum requests at the southern border, was extended to cover the entire Mexican territory for nationals of that country, and to Tabasco and Chiapas for other nationalities. Authorities from both countries met to coordinate operational actions and facilitate migrant transit to the U.S. borders. The meeting took place at the INM headquarters and was attended by the Chief of the U.S. Border Patrol, Jason Owens, and the INM Commissioner, Francisco Garduño Yáñez, along with their respective teams.
On August 18, the U.S. government expanded the reach of its CBP One application, used for managing asylum requests at the southern border, to cover the entire Mexican territory starting from August 23, 2024. This expansion, driven by CBP, will not equally benefit all migrants. The ability to schedule appointments under the new guidelines will be limited to certain nationalities, leaving others with geographical restrictions.
From August 23, only Mexican citizens will be able to use the CBP One application from anywhere in their country. Non-Mexican migrants, including Cubans, will be able to make their appointments from Chiapas and Tabasco, areas where initiating the process was previously not allowed. They can also continue to do so from the northern and central regions of Mexico, as was previously the case.
Migrant Transit Through Mexico: Key Questions and Answers
To better understand this new measure and its implications for migrants, here are some frequently asked questions and their answers:
What is CBP One?
CBP One is an application used by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection to manage asylum requests at the southern border.
Which entry points are available for migrants with CBP One appointments?
The designated entry points are Matamoros, Reynosa, and Nuevo Laredo in Tamaulipas; Piedras Negras, Coahuila; Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua; Nogales, Sonora; Mexicali, and Tijuana, Baja California.
Can non-Mexican migrants use the CBP One application?
Yes, non-Mexican migrants can use the CBP One application, but they can only schedule appointments from Chiapas and Tabasco or the northern and central regions of Mexico.