A Tennessee homicide suspect, who entered the U.S. using the CBP One app, was arrested in Texas, igniting a fierce debate on immigration policies.
At a Glance
- Dayren Roque Lopez, a Cuban man, was arrested in Texas for the murder of Dayana Garcia in Tennessee
- Lopez entered the U.S. on August 5, 2023, through San Ysidro, California, using the CBP One app
- Sen. Marsha Blackburn criticized the border policy following Lopez’s arrest
- The incident has sparked debate on the effectiveness of current immigration policies and technology
Murder Suspect Arrested After Multistate Manhunt
Dayren Roque Lopez, a Cuban national, was apprehended in Zavala County, Texas, following a multistate manhunt. Lopez is the prime suspect in the murder of 25-year-old Dayana Garcia, whose body was discovered in Cleveland, Tennessee. The arrest occurred during a felony traffic stop in La Pryor, Texas, near the U.S.-Mexico border.
“Sources confirmed to NewsNation that Lopez entered the U.S. on August 5, 2023, through San Ysidro, California, using the CBP One app, a mobile application for certain immigration processes. His scheduled immigration court hearing was set for November in Memphis,” Yahoo News reported.
This case has brought attention to the CBP One app, which has been the sole method for migrants to request asylum screening at the U.S. border since May 2023. Critics argue that this digital gateway may have inadvertently allowed potentially dangerous individuals into the country.
Senator Blackburn’s Criticism and Border Security Concerns
Tennessee Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn has used this incident to underscore her concerns about current immigration policies. She has been particularly critical of the CBP One app and its role in the immigration process.
“An illegal who entered the U.S. through the Biden-Harris CBP One app last year is the suspect in the murder of a young woman in Tennessee. This administration is welcoming violent criminals into our nation. The blood of the victims is on Joe and Kamal’s hands,” said Senator Marsha Blackburn.
The incident has reignited discussions about border security and the vetting process for individuals entering the country. It has been reported that encounters with people on terror watchlists have increased, with 172 reported in fiscal year 2023. Furthermore, at least 99 people from the FBI terror watchlist crossed into the U.S. illegally and were released after being apprehended last year.
NEW: @AliBradleyTV reports the suspect wanted for the murder of a woman in Tennessee is a Cuban migrant who entered the U.S. last year as part of the Biden administration’s use of the CBP One app – which allows migrants to book appointments at ports of entry for release into U.S. https://t.co/LZiot37O9i
— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) September 10, 2024
The CBP One App and Immigration Policy Debate
The CBP One app, introduced as a technological solution to streamline the immigration process, has become a focal point in the ongoing debate about U.S. immigration policy. While designed to provide a more organized approach to asylum requests, critics argue that it may be creating vulnerabilities in the system.
President Joe Biden’s administration has defended its approach, pointing to executive actions taken in June 2024 aimed at capping migrant crossings and giving Border Patrol more time to handle each migrant’s situation. These actions followed a failed bipartisan immigration deal in the Senate.
As the debate continues, law enforcement agencies across the country remain vigilant. The arrest of Lopez demonstrates the ongoing challenges in balancing open immigration policies with national security concerns. It also highlights the need for continued scrutiny and potential refinement of digital tools like the CBP One app in the complex landscape of U.S. immigration policy.
