Migrants Left Stranded as New U.S. Administration Closes Asylum Application

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Thousands of migrants have found themselves stranded at the U.S.-Mexico border following the abrupt closure of the CBP One asylum application system on the first day of the Donald Trump administration. Among them is Odalys Fundicheli, a 62-year-old woman from Cuba, who arrived at Tijuana with her granddaughter, only to learn that their scheduled appointment to cross into the United States had been canceled.

As Trump delivered his inaugural address, the fate of many migrants deteriorated when the president announced the cancellation of the CBP One program, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the asylum process. Frustrated and helpless, Fundicheli and countless others now face an uncertain future, having endured months of perilous journeys.

Migrants waiting to cross found hope in the application process, which once provided a structure for their asylum claims. However, with its sudden collapse, many are left without any means to proceed legally and face the prospect of being forced to remain in precarious conditions in Mexico.

The new administration's decision to reinstate the "Remain in Mexico" program poses additional challenges, requiring migrants to stay in Mexico while their claims are processed. Reports highlight the past failures of this program, which saw thousands live in overcrowded and unsafe conditions.

In Mexican border towns such as Tijuana and Ciudad Juárez, local authorities and shelters are bracing for an increase in migrants and deportees while trying to manage existing capacities. Coordinated efforts are underway to prepare for the influx, but the situation remains dire.

With uncertainty dominating their circumstances, many migrants express a desperate need for guidance and support. As the American dream fades for so many, humanitarian concerns grow about how to address the spiraling migration crisis.

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