DHS CBP One App

Full Title

The U. S. Department of Homeland Security Customs and Boarder Protection Smartphone App.

Context

• On 2020-10-28, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) launched the FREE CBP One™ mobile application on the Apple App and Google Play stores. CBP One™ is a mobile application that serves as a single portal to a variety of CBP services. Through a series of guided questions, the app directs each type of user to the appropriate services based on their needs. As part of CBP’s comprehensive effort to improve the security of our nation’s borders while enhancing legitimate travel and trade, CBP One™ provides increased accessibility and transparency to some of CBP’s most utilized services.
• On 2023-05-10 several changes were completed to allow additional time to complete process which take time and were not flexible as well as address changes to the regulations.
• Some of the functionality

1. Inspection Appointment request feature for brokers/carriers/forwarders and I-94 Entry for travelers.
2. Advance Submission and Appointment Scheduling - CBP One™ is available now to schedule appointments s are free to use. Noncitizens located in Central or Northern Mexico who seek to travel to the United States may use the U.S. Customs and Border Protection CBP One™ app to submit information in advance and schedule an appointment at:
   1. Arizona: Nogales
   2. Brownsville, Eagle Pass, Hidalgo, and El Paso
   3. Calexico and San Ysidro
3. Advance Travel Authorization (ATA) | Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, Venezuela (CHNV) USCIS Process
4. Check Border Wait Times
5. Check Your Trusted Traveler Programs Status
6. I-94 Entry for Travelers
7. Request Inspection of Agriculture or Biological Products for Travelers
8. Submitting a Traveler Manifest for Bus Operators

• The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Innovation Team (INVNT) resides within CBPs Office of the Commissioner to identify, adapt, and deliver innovative and disruptive commercial technology solutions to keep front-line personnel safer, more effective, and one step ahead. INVNT identifies and pilots cutting-edge commercial technologies, adapts them for government use, and transitions proven capabilities – all while moving at the pace of commercial industry.

1. IF Infrastructure = cloud and edge
2. Human Performance and Resilience - mostly focused on their own staff
3. Sensors and Data - size weight, etc
4. Autonomy - reduce cognitive load - on their own staff
5. AI & Analytics
6. Communications - like use 5G already.

Problems

• AS ASYLUM-SEEKERS REPORT ONGOING ISSUES WITH CBP ONE APP, CONGRESSMAN CASTRO AND HOUSE DEMOCRATS DEMAND ACTION FROM DHS 2023-03-14 They are requesting immediate action to address ongoing issues of accessibility and equity with the CBP One mobile application, which many asylum-seekers are now required to use to book appointments with Customs and Border Protection. In recent weeks, asylum-seekers have reported that technical and access issues with the app have made it difficult to schedule asylum appointments, especially for families who need multiple appointments as a bloc. The goals are to keep families together and require less technical competency on the part of the applicant. Too few languages are available. Privacy of facial recognition is questioned.
• Migrants grapple with government app to make asylum appointments 2023-01-31 Describes how U.S. Customs and Border Protection expanded the capability of its CBP One app in 2023-01 to allow migrants to make direct appointments to request protection at a port of entry, which the Biden administration touted as part of its plans to address a record number of unlawful U.S-Mexico border crossings. But providers along the border say the app disadvantages the most vulnerable asylum-seekers who may not have access to a smartphone or consistent WiFi, or the tech savvy to navigate the platform. They described constant glitches, limited foreign language options, and a lack of transparency about how many appointments will be available each day. Even internet connectivity issues limit access to those who can afford to stay in a hotel with wifi. Those who hale the immigrants with the process say that they have “no idea” how migrants who are not working with a nonprofit like her “would be navigating some of these different challenges.” and because of the small number of languages and poor UX for the languages that are aviable they say that “Ultimately, access to asylum needs to be equitable, fair and free in the languages that the immigrants do know.”