LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – Elizabeth arrived at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement office hopeful that the appointment she scheduled eight months ago would bring her closer to stability in the United States.
But as she left the building, her optimism had vanished.
The asylum seeker from Cuba learned that her appointment had been rescheduled, another delay in a process she said was filled with uncertainty. She said ICE officials told her the rescheduling was tied to the new administration.
“I’ve had my appointment scheduled since May 10, but when I got here they said that because there’s a new administration my appointment has been rescheduled,” Elizabeth said in Spanish.
Elizabeth, who fled Cuba’s repression and dictatorship last year, said she initially entered the U.S. legally using the CBP One app at the border. The app, which allowed migrants to schedule appointments at official ports of entry, was dismantled earlier this month as part of broader immigration overhaul.
“There’s a few people I know personally that are stuck at the border precisely because their appointments were canceled, they got very bad luck,” she said.
Some, like Jaime Gonzalez, an immigrant from El Salvador, believe these policies are necessary to maintain fairness in the immigration system.
“I did it legally because my parents did,” Jaime said. “They did all the paperwork, and I became a citizen.”
Jaime says he understands the struggles immigrants face but believes others should follow legal pathways to the U.S. He also expressed frustration with people who he feels take advantage of government assistance.
“They just take advantage. I take care of my kid, I take him to school, and I see all the parents that don’t work,” Jaime said. “They’re just waiting for the system to support them.”
FOX5 reached out to ICE for comment on whether appointments are being rescheduled due to the new administration’s policies but have not yet received a response.
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