Gangs Trick Migrants Into Buying Fake Appointments at US-Mexico Ports

Immigrants trying to reach the United States are being tricked by organized crime gangs into buying fake appointments they believe are through the official Customs and Border Protection app. That’s according to the International Rescue Committee, which works across the U.S.-Mexico border and has received reports of people desperately seeking a CBP One appointment falling for the scam. The app is currently the only way to book an appointment at a port of entry, with over 41,800 people processed in June 2024. CBP One can only be used by migrants in Mexico City or in states close to the border, which has meant many are staying put in the city awaiting appointments. Once they are allocated a time, they can present themselves at the respective port of entry.