US suspends asylum app over extortion of migrants in Mexico

The Biden administration stopped using a mobile app for asylum seekers to schedule appointments at a Texas border crossing after reports that Mexican officials were extorting migrants in Nuevo Laredo.
Advocacy groups warned CBP about criminal groups controlling access to the crossing and demanding bribes from migrants.
The situation casts doubt on the US view that Mexico is safe for migrants fleeing violence.
The US will reassign 1,250 daily appointments from Laredo to other border crossings.
Migrants have reported widespread bribery and corruption in Mexico's immigration system, at times working with smugglers.