Markwayne Mullin, whom the article identifies as the U.S. homeland security secretary, said the administration is considering suspending international passenger processing and cargo handling operations at major airports in so-called “sanctuary cities.”
The proposed measure targets cities that do not cooperate with federal immigration enforcement. If implemented, it could severely disrupt international flights and trade operations at major airports in Democratic-led states.
According to Reuters, Mullin said in an interview with Fox News on May 26 that the administration has not yet taken action but is preparing a plan. He added that international travelers should not be processed in such cities.
He had previously told travel industry representatives that customs and immigration personnel could potentially be withdrawn.
Sanctuary cities are jurisdictions that limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement and allow undocumented immigrants to access services such as healthcare and education without fear of deportation. The Trump administration has repeatedly pressured Democrat-led cities over such policies.
Cities designated by the Justice Department as sanctuary jurisdictions include New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago and San Francisco — all home to major international airports.
This year’s FIFA World Cup 2026 will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, with 11 U.S. cities selected as match venues.
The U.S. travel industry warned that implementation of the measure would deal a major blow to the tourism, airline and hotel sectors.
The industry had been expecting millions of international tourists ahead of next month’s World Cup opening.
More than 50 million international travelers passed through New York’s three major airports alone last year.
Airlines for America warned that reducing customs staffing levels would cause major disruptions to passenger flights and cargo operations.
The homeland security secretary’s remarks are widely viewed as an effort to intensify pressure on cities that refuse to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement policies.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has the authority to deploy or withdraw customs and immigration personnel.