Elon Musk, owner of X, has expressed support for the self-deportation app introduced by the Donald Trump administration.

Taking to his social media handle on X, Musk commented, “New app to assist in self-deportation.”

Musk’s endorsement came after an Indian-origin student, Ranjani Srinivasan, studying at Columbia University, reportedly used the CBP Home app to self-deport.

Srinivasan, a citizen of India, was a doctoral student in urban planning at Columbia University, the Ground Zero of student protests in support of Palestine and against Israel over Gaza that swept the US last year.

The Homeland Security Department said that it obtained a video of Srinivasan using an app of the Customs and Border Protection (CPB) agency to “self-deport”.

What is the CBP home app?

CBP Home is a mobile application developed by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) that provides access to various immigration and travel-related services. 

Key features of the app include:

Intent to depart – Immigrants can notify the US government of their intent to leave the country.

Check border wait times – Users can check estimated wait times and lane status at land ports of entry 24/7.

Apply for a provisional I-94 entry – Travelers can apply for a provisional I-94 before arriving at a land border, allowing for faster processing and easier access to their entry status.

The app aims to streamline processes for immigrants and travelers while enhancing border control efficiency.