CPB One asylum processing app

Transparency and accountability 🙈

The CPB One asylum app is seen to have multiple transparency and accountability limitations:

• Algorithmic decison-making processes. The app's algorithms and decision-making processes are not transparent, making it difficult for asylum seekers to understand the reasons for delays or denials of their claims.

• Data collection and use. The app's data collection and use practices are not clearly explained, raising concerns about data protection and potential misuse.

• Eligibility criteria. The app's eligibility criteria and requirements are not clearly communicated, making it difficult for asylum seekers to understand what information is needed to support their claims.

• Complaints and appeals. The app does not provide a clear appeals process for asylum seekers who disagree with the outcome of their claim.

• Independent oversight. There is no independent oversight mechanism to review the app's decision-making processes and ensure that they are fair and unbiased.

• Data storage and retention policies. The app's data storage and retention policies are not clearly explained, raising concerns about data protection and potential misuse.

• Security measures. The app's security measures are not clearly explained, raising concerns about the potential for data breaches or unauthorized access.

• Regular evaluations. The app is not subject to regular evaluations or audits to ensure that it is functioning fairly and effectively.

• Success metrics. The app's success metrics are not clearly defined, making it difficult to evaluate its effectiveness in processing asylum claims.

Risks and harms 🛑

The CPB One app has raised multiple concerns, including racial bias and discrimination, loss of privacy, data misuse, loss of access to due process, increased vulnerability to exploitation, automation bias, and inadequate transparency and accountability.

The many errors and technical issues that have beset the app have been seen to lead to delays, denials, or other adverse outcomes for asylum seekers.

Legal, regulatory 👩🏼‍⚖️

• EAST BAY SANCTUARY COVENANT v. JOSEPH R. BIDEN 

• AOL et. al v. Mayorkas 

Research, advocacy 🧮

• American Immigration Council. CPB One - An Overview 

• AILA. Think Immigration: The CBP One App Is Not Enough 

• Amnesty (2024). CPB One: A Blessing or a Trap? 

• Human Rights Watch (2024). “We Couldn’t Wait.” Digital Metering at the US-Mexico Border 

• Amnesty (2023). Mandatory use of CBP One mobile application violates right to seek asylum 

News, commentary, analysis 🗞️

• https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-64814095 

• https://www.technologyreview.com/2023/06/16/1074039/border-wall-app/ 

• https://english.elpais.com/usa/2024-07-14/the-dangers-of-cbp-one-the-app-to-request-asylum-at-the-us-mexico-border-extorsion-kidnappings-and-months-long-waits.html