Thousands of individuals in the United States, including American citizens, have received unexpected deportation notices from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), raising concerns over procedural errors and potential profiling.
The move comes as the Trump administration begins dismantling temporary legal protections issued under the Biden presidency, particularly those linked to the CBP One online entry system.
This sudden policy reversal has sparked unease within legal and immigrant communities, as deportation orders have reportedly reached not only migrants but also immigration attorneys and US-born citizens whose information may have been associated with asylum seekers.
CBP One Permits Revoked Without Warning
More than 900,000 people entered the United States using CBP One, a Biden-era initiative launched in January 2023 to streamline humanitarian entry for individuals arriving at southern border crossings.
This included many from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela, who were allowed into the country with two-year permits provided they had financial sponsors.
According to US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), notices of termination began arriving in late March 2025. These emails, often stating “It is time for you to leave the United States,” were sent with little to no explanation, sometimes allowing recipients just seven days to comply.
While CBP acknowledged that some messages may have been misdirected due to applicants listing US-based sponsors or legal representatives, it did not disclose how many individuals were mistakenly targeted.
One such case involves Hubert Montoya, an immigration attorney and US citizen from Texas, who received a deportation email despite never being subject to the program. “I just thought it was absurd,” he told reporters, describing his reaction to what he considered an administrative error.
Legal Ambiguity and Rising Alarm Among Advocates
Legal experts and human rights advocates have criticised the administration’s opaque handling of the CBP One rollback.
According to Hillary Li, counsel for the Justice Action Center, “the fact that we don’t know how many people got this notice is part of the problem.” Online forums used by affected communities have reported widespread fear and misinformation, fuelled by inconsistent messaging and a lack of official clarification.
Moreover, while previous immigration policy changes—such as the revocation of Temporary Protected Status—were accompanied by formal announcements and were often suspended by court challenges, the CBP One cancellations have taken place quietly.
A federal judge in Massachusetts has issued a temporary hold on deportations for over 500,000 migrants, but many remain in legal limbo, unsure of their rights or next steps.
Some recipients, such as Maria, a Nicaraguan woman living in Florida, said the notice “paralysed” her. Though she initially supported Trump’s immigration stance, she now fears deportation despite entering the country legally with a sponsor.