customs processing – Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin has revived the idea of halting or scaling back Customs and Border Protection processing at major airports in so-called sanctuary cities. Travel and tourism groups warn the move could disrupt passengers and internat
For international travelers, the risk isn’t a terminal gate or a delayed flight—it’s whether customs and immigration processing will still be staffed when planes land in major U.S. cities.
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin raised the possibility again of pausing customs and immigration processing at airports in so-called sanctuary cities. according to reporting from The Atlantic and Reuters. The warnings come at a tense moment for an industry that is counting on smooth global arrivals—just as immigration enforcement and airport operations are colliding.
Mullin’s comments were tied to a private message he delivered to travel executives last week: the Department of Homeland Security could stop processing international travelers and cargo at airports in cities that do not cooperate with the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement efforts. Reuters reported that the cities mentioned included Denver, Philadelphia, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City, Newark, Seattle and San Francisco.
The Atlantic previously reported more detail about how the idea might play out. The outlet said the proposal could be considered after the FIFA World Cup concludes in July, and that Mullin indicated DHS may reduce Customs and Border Protection staffing at airports serving sanctuary jurisdictions.
Mullin’s return to the subject comes after he first floated it publicly in an April appearance on Fox News’ “Special Report. ” where he questioned whether sanctuary cities should keep receiving international customs processing. “If they’re a sanctuary city. should they really be processing customs into – into their city?” he said at the time.
The latest remarks sparked immediate pushback from the travel industry.
Airlines for America warned that reducing customs staffing at major airports “would have a devastating effect on the airline and tourism industries. ” potentially disrupting flights. passengers and international cargo operations. U.S. Travel. which represents major airlines. hotel chains. rental car firms and others. urged governments “to adopt policies that promote the free and efficient flow of legitimate travelers. ” saying the concern applies to “domestic and international inbound travel alike.”.
The political heat also surfaced in Congress. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy appeared to distance himself from the proposal during a House hearing on Thursday, May 21, saying, “We shouldn’t shut down air travel in a state that doesn’t agree with our politics.”
When asked about Mullin’s comments, DHS pointed to the secretary’s appearance on Fox News’ “Special Report.”
Sanctuary cities Customs and Border Protection Markwayne Mullin DHS airlines international travel cargo operations Sean Duffy Denver airport Philadelphia airport Reuters The Atlantic