Confusion as Rising Number of U.S. Citizens Told to Leave the Country

A rising number of U.S. citizens have been told by immigration agencies to leave the country. These instances are creating a great amount of confusion, as it’s unknown if U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) really told citizens to leave, or if its merely a glitch in the system.

The prevailing theory currently is that these notices are the result of a glitch in the Trump administration’s dismantling of a Biden-era policy that allowed people to live and work in the country. The program, provided by the CBP One mobile app, provided around nine hundred thousand incoming migrants with two-year permits of residency from January 2023 to January 2025. Now, the CBP seems to be revoking these permits at the Trump administration’s behest.

The revocation of CBP One permits lacks the fanfare and formality of other immigration enforcement efforts. This lack of attention may be the reason why more citizens are being told to leave. The CBP stated notices may have been sent to unintended recipients, including attorneys, if intended recipients provided contact information for U.S. citizens when registering on the mobile app. The agency addresses these instances on a case-by-case basis, which explains the slow rate of clarification.

Many of the recipients express confusion and frustration at these notices, even if they’re merely a result of a glitch in the immigration system. Episodes like this will be more common given the large cutbacks to resources and staff in the U.S. immigration system. Immigrants and foreign residents are highly advised to be proactive in monitoring their own legal status. In the backlogged U.S. immigration landscape, preparation ahead of time is key to minimizing chances of visa revocation.

As always, ILBSG actively monitors ongoing U.S. immigration news. If you have questions about any U.S. immigration related issue, contact us. Working with an experienced attorney ensures you get the right advice based on the most recent laws. In an ever-evolving immigration policy landscape, it’s particularly critical.