U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin has reportedly raised the possibility of suspending immigration processing operations at airports located in “sanctuary cities.”
New allegations linked to the United States Department of Homeland Security have sparked major debate across the U.S. aviation and travel industry. According to sources who spoke to Reuters, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin warned that international passenger and cargo processing operations could be suspended at major airports located in “sanctuary cities” that do not support the Trump administration’s immigration policies.
According to the claims, Mullin delivered the message during private meetings with travel industry executives last week.
New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago Among the Targets
Sources say the cities under evaluation include:
- New York City
- Newark
- Los Angeles
- Chicago
- Seattle
- Denver
- Philadelphia
- San Francisco
If implemented, the plan could lead to major disruptions in international passenger entry procedures, customs operations, and cargo handling activities at airports in these cities.
Could Be Implemented After the FIFA World Cup
The Atlantic had previously reported on Mullin’s comments made to travel industry representatives.
According to sources cited in the report, the measure could potentially be implemented after the FIFA World Cup scheduled to take place in the United States in July.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security declined to officially comment on the matter.
Strong Backlash From the Airline Industry
Airlines for America warned that reducing customs staffing levels at major airports could have “devastating” consequences for the aviation and tourism industries.
The organization stated that such a move could result in:
- Severe delays in airline operations,
- Disruptions in international passenger flows,
- Bottlenecks in cargo transportation,
- Declines in tourism revenues.
- Travel Industry Calls for “Free Movement”
The U.S. Travel Association also issued a statement urging all levels of government to preserve policies that support the free and efficient flow of travel for both domestic and international passengers.
Transportation Secretary Duffy Distances Himself From Proposal
Speaking during a hearing in the U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday, Sean Duffy stated that he was unaware of Mullin’s comments.
Duffy also stopped short of openly supporting the proposal, saying:
“We should not shut down air transportation in a state simply because we disagree politically.”
The statement also brought attention to differing approaches within the Trump administration.
New York Airports Face Significant Risk
Last year alone, more than 50 million international passengers entered the United States through New York’s three major airports.
According to experts, suspending immigration processing operations at global hub airports such as New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago could impact not only the U.S. domestic market but also the global air transportation network.
A New Era of Political Tension in Aviation
Analysts say the Trump administration’s approach of linking immigration policies with aviation operations is creating a new area of risk for the industry.
Operational restrictions at major international hub airports could directly affect:
- Slot planning,
- International flight networks,
- Transit passenger flows,
- Cargo logistics operations.
