U.S. President Donald Trump is interviewed by Reuters White House correspondent Steve Holland (not pictured) during an exclusive interview in the Oval Office in the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., January 14, 2026. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein
(Washington, DC) – A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to reinstate legal protections for migrants who entered the United States through the CBP One mobile application, ruling that the government improperly revoked their status.
The decision applies to individuals who had previously been granted entry and work authorization under the program. The court found that stripping those protections raised significant legal concerns, effectively forcing the administration to reverse course—at least temporarily.
The ruling sends the issue back into the broader and ongoing legal battle over immigration policy, particularly the scope of executive authority in altering or ending programs tied to migrant entry and processing.
The CBP One app had been used as a key tool to manage migrant arrivals at the southern border, allowing individuals to schedule appointments and seek entry through official channels. The administration’s move to rescind legal status for those participants had sparked legal challenges from advocacy groups, who argued the action was unlawful.
With the judge’s order now in place, affected migrants are expected to regain their prior protections while the case continues to move through the courts.
The decision marks another flashpoint in the national debate over immigration enforcement and policy direction, with further legal proceedings likely ahead.
