Dr. G and I arrived at the shelter on January 20, unsure what to expect. She is a retired family practitioner who volunteers with us regularly. It was inauguration day and the incoming president had promised major changes to border policy—but no one yet knew how fast, or how far-reaching, they would be. Dr. G wanted to mark this day with service.
As soon as we parked and stepped out with diapers and postpartum supplies in hand, the shelter director came rushing toward us. She pulled me into a hug.
“It’s already gone,” she said.
“What??”
“The app. The appointments. Everything. Gone.”
She meant the CBP One app—the only legal route left for most asylum seekers to enter the U.S. and request protection. Families had waited months for those appointments and now, in a moment, the path had vanished.
I was struck by the first things Dr. G said as she stood in front of the mothers we serve through our program Mamas at the Border: “No matter what our country does, we are with you.”
Before January 20
CBP One processed almost 1 million appointments through Dec 2024—1 million people, including pregnant women and new mothers. For the mothers in our program, that meant an average wait of 4–6 months after fleeing violence—some because of domestic violence, many targeted by cartels, all suffering under systems that failed to protect them.
Lucía arrived last July with two children and one on the way because her husband—and every man on their street—had been taken by armed men in the middle of the night. Her hope had been to reunite with her mother-in-law in Chicago, but now she faced an uncertainty that stretched far beyond the wait.
What We’ve Seen Since Then
In the months since January 20, the border has grown quieter—but not because the need has gone away. The violence hasn’t slowed in the countries our mothers fled, nor has the corruption ceased; but without options, victims are forced to remain in dangerous situations or wait indefinitely in shelters at the border.
After giving birth in Tijuana with the support of our program facilitator, Lucía made the impossible decision to return home – back to the danger she had fled. Elena has chosen to wait. She has two small boys and fled El Salvador when her husband, who was part of government special forces, refused to carry out illegal arrests – standing up for what he knew was right but putting his own family in danger. They were only allowed to fly into Tijuana from southern Mexico because they had secured a CBP One appointment. Unfortunately, their appointment was for January 21 so when they arrived in Tijuana it was already too late.
Despite longer waits and fewer pathways, we continue to show up with diapers and supplies, mental health support, development classes focused on livelihood, parenting and ESL. Listening and helping mothers find a sense of community and comfort in this moment of uncertainty. The pathways are closing, but the need is on going.
Why It Matters
The media may have moved on. We haven’t. These are our mamas, too. This isn’t just about immigration policy—it’s about maternal health and whether we believe mothers deserve care, regardless of where they were born. Every mother deserves to give birth in safety, recover in dignity, and raise her children in peace. That’s the future we’re building, one mama at a time, across borders.
Warmly,
Cayla Willingham
Co-Founder & Program Manager
