Travel industry warns of disruption as Trump admin threatens to pull CBP officers from sanctuary city airports

Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin reiterated a threat to withdraw U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers from airports located in so‑called sanctuary cities. The move could jeopardize international flights, cargo operations and tourism.

The U.S. Travel Association and major airlines quickly condemned the proposal, saying it would have "devastating consequences for the travel industry and communities that depend on international visitation." Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy told a congressional hearing the idea "doesn’t make sense" and warned against restricting travel based on political views.

President Donald Trump has previously threatened to withhold funding from sanctuary jurisdictions, but courts have struck down similar attempts in the past. It remains unclear which airports could be targeted, though the Justice Department has a list of dozens of sanctuary jurisdictions nationwide.