United States Homeland Security Secretary, Markwayne Mullin, has revealed that the Trump administration is considering plans to suspend the processing of international travelers and cargo at major American airports located in so-called sanctuary cities that refuse to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement efforts.
If implemented, the proposal could severely disrupt international air travel and trade operations at key airports in Democratic-led states, just as millions of overseas visitors are expected to arrive in the United States ahead of next month’s FIFA World Cup kickoff.
Speaking during an interview with Fox News Channel host Sean Hannity on Tuesday, Mullin said discussions had taken place with White House officials, although he stressed that no final decision had been reached.
“We are currently – which we’re not initiating yet – but we’re currently drawing up plans,” Mullin said.
He added, “We shouldn’t be processing international flights into their cities,” referring to sanctuary jurisdictions where, according to him, “local radical left Democrats aren’t allowing us to do our job and enforce federal laws.”
Last week, Reuters and several other media organizations reported that Mullin had privately informed U.S. travel industry executives that the Department of Homeland Security could choose to suspend customs and immigration processing services for international passengers in certain cities.
The U.S. Justice Department recently released a list of sanctuary cities and states, which included several metropolitan areas with major international airports such as Boston, Denver, Philadelphia, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City, Newark, Seattle, and San Francisco.
Although Mullin first publicly floated the idea in April during a disagreement over departmental funding, he confirmed on Tuesday that the administration is actively evaluating the option.
Democratic lawmakers have argued that reforms are necessary to curb alleged abuses by Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), citing incidents including the fatal shooting of two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis in January.
The U.S. Travel Association, representing major airlines, hotel chains, car rental companies, and other travel-related businesses, confirmed to Reuters on Friday that its officials had met with Mullin.
According to the association, Mullin “confirmed his previous comments that the administration is considering a withdrawal of CBP officers from international airports in certain sanctuary cities,” in remarks shared with Reuters.
The group also warned of serious economic and operational consequences for the travel sector and communities that rely heavily on international tourism.
More than 50 million international travelers passed through New York City’s three primary airports last year alone.
Airlines for America, an industry association representing major passenger and cargo carriers, also cautioned last week that reducing customs staffing at major airports would significantly disrupt airline operations, passenger movement, and the transportation of international cargo.
