Homeland Security Secretary Mullin threatens to pull CBP staff from sanctuary city airports, sparking travel industry al

U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin warned that the Department of Homeland Security could suspend Customs and Border Protection (CBP) processing at major airports located in "sanctuary" jurisdictions that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities. The proposal, discussed in a private meeting with airline and travel‑industry executives, could halt international passenger and cargo inspections at hubs such as New York’s JFK, Los Angeles International, Chicago O’Hare, Newark, Seattle‑Tacoma and San Francisco, effectively cutting off those airports from global air traffic.

The U.S. Travel Association and major airlines quickly condemned the idea, stating it would have "devastating consequences" for the travel industry, tourism and local economies. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy also said the plan "doesn’t make sense," warning it would disrupt flights and cargo shipments. Industry groups warned that withdrawing CBP officers would cause operational disruptions for carriers, travelers and the flow of international cargo.

The threat echoes previous Trump administration attempts to withhold funding from sanctuary cities, which courts have struck down. While no official list of targeted airports has been released, the Justice Department’s published list of sanctuary jurisdictions includes roughly three dozen states, cities and counties. The discussion was first reported by The Atlantic and cited by Reuters and other outlets.