CHS Demands Action on CBP One App Over Cartel Exploits and Failures at Southwest Border

The Committee on Homeland Security (CHS) has expressed growing concerns over the mismanagement and alleged failures of the CBP One app at the U.S. Southwest border. In a letter addressed to DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, the committee demanded greater transparency and immediate action to address the issues associated with the app's utilization. The CBP One app was developed to provide a safe and lawful path for migrants, eliminating interference from smuggling organizations. However, reports since June 2023 have indicated that cartels have found ways to exploit the app, bypassing geographical restrictions and securing appointments for migrants not located in central or northern Mexico.

The committee criticized the Department of Homeland Security's handling of the CBP One's deployment, stating that it contributes to the crisis at the Southwest border. They highlighted a lack of responsiveness and transparency from the department, as they failed to produce requested documents pertaining to the app's use. The letter also voiced concerns about security issues, technical glitches, the endorsement of VPN services by cartels, and the involvement of subcontracted companies in the app's development and maintenance.

The committee, led by CHS Chairman Mark E. Green and Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement Chairman Clay Higgins, leveraged its jurisdiction to push for expedited cooperation from the DHS. They instructed the department to fulfill their comprehensive request by September 28, 2023. The recent revelations about cartels exploiting CBP One have only heightened the committee's concerns about the app's expanded use at the Southwest border.

In conclusion, the CHS is demanding action on the CBP One app due to the alleged failures and cartel exploitation at the U.S. Southwest border. They are urging the DHS to address the issues, provide greater transparency, and fulfill their requests for documents and communications related to the app's utilization. The committee is concerned about the impact of these failures on the ongoing crisis at the border and expects a timely response from the department.

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In a fervent letter addressed to U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, dated September 14, 2023, the Committee on Homeland Security (CHS) expressed escalating concerns over the controversial use of the CBP One application at the Southwest border, demanding greater transparency and urging immediate action to address evident failures and exploitations linked to the app's utilization.

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Developed to facilitate a “safe, orderly, and lawful path” to the U.S. for migrants, the CBP One application, according to the DHS, would eliminate interference from smuggling organizations profiteering from vulnerable individuals, cites the letter. Secretary Mayorkas underscored this mission in a hearing before the House Judiciary Committee where he emphasized that the app "cuts out the smuggling organizations that impose such tragedy and trauma on vulnerable individuals purely for the sake of profit.”

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However, reporting since June 1, 2023, indicates that cartels have found ways to exploit the app, utilizing Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to bypass geographical restrictions imposed by the app, thereby securing appointments for migrants not located in central or northern Mexico — a blatant contradiction to the DHS’s assurances that the app would curtail the profits of cartels.

In a stern reprimand of the DHS's handling of the CBP One's deployment and its aftermath, the committee stated, "CBP One exemplifies another failed Department policy that contributes to the crisis at our Southwest border." The committee pinpointed a lack of responsiveness and transparency from the department, as it failed to produce documents pertaining to the app's use requested in a June 1 letter, with the deadline set for June 15, 2023 — a deadline that has since passed by over 90 days.

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Further, the letter, signed by CHS Chairman Mark E. Green, M.D., and Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement Chairman Clay Higgins, voiced heightened concerns following "recent revelations about cartels exploiting CBP One" and demanded the production of a series of documents and communications addressing a range of issues including security concerns, technical glitches associated with the geofence of the app, the endorsement of VPN services by cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and the engagement of subcontracted companies in the development and maintenance of the app.

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The committee leveraged its jurisdiction under Rule X of the U.S House of Representatives as the principal oversight entity for homeland security policy in pushing for expedited cooperation, instructing the DHS to fulfill its comprehensive request no later than 5:00 p.m. on September 28, 2023.

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In a statement, the committee asserted, "The recent revelations about cartels exploiting CBP One only heighten our concern about the Department’s expanded use of the application at the Southwest border."

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