DHS Sec Markwayne Mullin threatens to remove Customs and Border Patrol from airports in sanctuary cities

The Trump administration is considering plans to pull Customs and Border Protection (CBP) from major airports in Democratic-led “sanctuary cities.” DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin made the comments as in response to protests outside Newark, NJ's Delaney Hall immigration facility. New Jersey operates as a sanctuary state under the leadership of Governor Mikie Sherrill.

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said that the administration could stop processing international travelers and cargo at airports in cities and states that refuse to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement operations. The proposal could significantly impact international air travel at major airports in heavily populated blue states.

The Department of Justice recently released a list of sanctuary cities and states, many of which contain major international airports, including Boston, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, New York City, and Seattle. The potential move also comes as the US is preparing to host the FIFA World Cup next month, which will see a heavy increase in tourism in many democratically led cities.

Last year, more than 50 million international travelers passed through the three major airports in New York alone, which include JFK, LaGuardia and Newark, each of them dealing with international traffic.

In an interview with Fox News, Mullin said White House officials have discussed the possibility, but no decision has been reached yet.

"We are currently, which we're not initiating yet, but we're currently drawing up plans," Mullin said. 

Mullin also said that regarding sanctuary cities, "We shouldn't be processing ​international flights into their cities," arguing that "local radical left Democrats aren't allowing us to do our job and enforce federal laws."

According to Reuters, the US travel association met with Mullin in response to the proposed plan. In a statement to the outlet, the association said that Mullin "confirmed his previous comments that the administration is considering a withdrawal of CBP officers from international airports ⁠in certain sanctuary cities.”

The proposed move would be a direct response to cities that refuse to cooperate with federal immigration authorities, as well as Democrats who have opposed additional funding for CBP. However, no final decision has been announced, and it remains unclear what actions, if any, the Trump administration will ultimately take.