Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has officially terminated the use of the CBP One app for migrants boarding domestic flights, except in cases of self-deportation. The move is part of a broader crackdown on immigration policies set by the previous administration.
A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed the decision, calling it a reversal of what they described as a “horrendous Biden-era policy” that allowed undocumented migrants to travel within the U.S. without traditional identification. “Under President Trump, TSA and DHS will no longer tolerate this. Aliens in our country illegally can no longer fly unless it is out of our country to self-deport,” the spokesperson stated.
The CBP One app was introduced during the Biden administration to facilitate the entry of migrants through official ports or a separate parole process. It allowed them to submit photos and other identifying details, which the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) used to verify their identities. Migrants who lacked traditional IDs were matched with DHS records and underwent additional security screenings before being allowed to board flights.
While migrants have been able to fly without standard IDs even before Biden’s presidency, the CBP One app played a crucial role in identity verification. The latest directive eliminates its use at TSA screening checkpoints and the National Transportation Vetting Center. Under the new policy, migrants paroled or released while awaiting immigration processing will be barred from air travel unless they present a TSA-approved ID or are leaving the U.S. voluntarily.
This decision marks another step in President Trump’s immigration enforcement efforts. On his first day back in office, he suspended the use of CBP One for migrant parole and halted applications for Biden-era migrant programs. Additionally, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has been authorized to cancel parole statuses.
Last week, Noem further tightened immigration policies by reversing a Biden-era extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians, following a similar decision for Venezuelan nationals. She also signed a memo deputizing up to 600 State Department officials as immigration officers, further strengthening the administration’s efforts to curb illegal migration.