MIRAMAR, Fla. – President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown took effect immediately Tuesday, ending a Biden-era program that allowed immigrants to cross the border legally.
Local 10 News spoke with a family who is among the last to cross under the now-discontinued program.
The Garzon family waited in Mexico for three months, using the CBP One app to legally enter the United States.
Now, they’ve realized they are among the last to benefit from the program.
As then-former President Trump announced an expected border crackdown, the app was shut down, and all appointments were canceled.
Oscar Garzon explained that the program, launched by the Biden administration, offered peace of mind to families like his, fleeing violence in Colombia. They documented their journey, hoping for safety.
Critics, however, argue that the program has let in too many people — an estimated one million in the last two years — claiming that asylum requests based on credible fear aren’t adequately checked. A Republican-led House committee in 2023 pointed to alleged abuse of the system.
One woman arriving in Texas said she fears she doesn’t have the correct paperwork to stay, a sentiment echoed by others, including those who arrived in South Florida by boat.
The Garzon family is unsure what’s next for their relatives who hoped to join them but remain grateful to have work and a chance to start a new life in South Florida.