It's hard to say who is responsible for this app, I don't know how the organization itself runs but there were changes in commissioners for the US Customers/Border while this app was apparently being developed, I'd have to guess whoever is in control of it at any given time can pick and choose how easily they want to approve applications.
AFAIK the app allows appointment scheduling and/or pre-screening, doesn't really provide legal status, and likely helps CBP itself more than anything else (otherwise they'd have to staff more phone lines etc). It's just a catchy soundbite like 99% of immigration rhetoric from Trump/Vance campaign... "you can use an app as a magic wand"... no, you can't. If it wasn't an app, they would say "there is a website", or "you can call a phone number", etc with some sort of ominous context, even though none of these things would be illegal.
Most of those people are not swimming across Rio Grande. They come with a tourist visa or some other valid paperwork and stay after it expires.
So, you are surprised that those who cause alarm are those who cross the Rio Grande, according to you because of racism... To begin with, those who have entered with a visa have already passed some formalities and we know that they are mostly students or skilled workers, of the others we know nothing.
Don't be surprised if I don't put much effort in discussing these points from now on because it is tiring to argue when you know that it is very difficult to reach points of agreement. Normally in these debates, instead of looking for points of agreement, what people do is to look for arguments to reinforce their position, and it can end up in endless discussions.
This was in response to the chart of border apprehensions that you posted and claimed or at least implied that it shows rapid growth of illegal immigration. It doesn't, and I provided three reasons why. I didn't say illegal border crossings don't exist, it's just nowhere near the scale that the political noise may insinuate.
I also didn't say anything about racism, you made the link between my earlier comment about "racist rhetoric" and southern border crossings on your own. "Racist rhetoric" that I'm thinking of is the implication that someone disliked by GOP candidates is "illegal", even though they're not breaking any laws an have legal status, e.g. Springfield Haitians. It may be tempting to think "this is a gray area, matter of opinion, no big deal" but it creates a growing perception that immigrants are often or mostly illegal, which couldn't be further from the truth and creates real dangers, such as the recent bomb threats in Springfield. It's rooted in misunderstanding of how immigration works and exploited by scumbags like JD.