Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin's proposal to shut down airports in cities designated as sanctuary cities has faced significant backlash. Mullin, who succeeded Kristi Noem in March, has suggested that Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers could be removed from these airports, which would prevent them from accepting international flights. He stated in an interview with Fox News that local governments are not allowing enforcement of federal immigration laws, which justifies his plan.
Opposition has emerged from business leaders and the travel industry, with a coalition of 17 trade groups warning that reducing CBP operations at major airports could disrupt the national air transportation system. They emphasized that operational changes at a few airports would have widespread repercussions.
Mullin's plan could impact significant international travel hubs, including New York City, Los Angeles, Boston, and San Francisco, which collectively handle hundreds of millions of passengers annually and generate substantial economic activity. Estimates suggest that shutting down customs operations at Newark Liberty International Airport alone could risk $8 billion in yearly travel spending and $100 million in daily imports.
Mullin has expressed a strong commitment to this plan, reportedly discussing it frequently in meetings. Critics, including Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, have voiced concerns about the implications of such actions on air travel and the economy, particularly with the upcoming FIFA World Cup final scheduled near Newark. The Department of Homeland Security and CBP have not yet commented on the situation.
