DHS threatens to halt customs processing at airports in sanctuary cities
Major airports across the country could soon freeze customs processing and cancel all international flights if sanctuary cities continue bucking federal immigration enforcement operations.
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin warned that he might pull out Customs and Border Patrol agents from airports in sanctuary cities. CBP agents are responsible for performing security inspections of international travelers, so a complete withdrawal would cripple airports’ processing of international flights.
Mullin said that because sanctuary cities forbid local law enforcement from working with federal immigration agents and generally allow rowdy protests against agents, DHS will “have to decide where we’re going to prioritize our federal employees.”
“We’ve got to prioritize federal police officers, and that may affect international flights coming in and out of their airport. Because I’m going to have to pull Customs and Border Protection officers out of being able to process international flights and put them helping our ICE agents,” Mullin told FOX News in a clip posted Thursday.
“If things don’t change, we’re going to have to make this step pretty quick,” he added. “Because I’m not going to put my employees and my ICE agents at risk.”
Mullin’s plan, if carried out, would force airlines to halt all international flights to the impacted airports, triggering an economic and logistical nightmare for the airline and tourism industries.
Airports DHS would target include New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport; Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport; Boston’s Logan International Airport; Denver International Airport; Philadelphia International Airport; Newark Liberty International Airport; Los Angeles International Airport; San Francisco International Airport; Portland International Airport; Seattle-Tacoma International Airport; and potentially others.
Removing CBP agents from those airports would also create a ripple effect on airports in non-sanctuary jurisdictions. Those airports could get overwhelmed by increased flights and passengers rerouted from the international travel hubs targeted by DHS.
Mullin’s ultimatum is the latest example of the Trump administration pressuring Democrat-led states and cities to comply with federal immigration enforcement operations.
The administration has sued multiple jurisdictions in California, Illinois, New York, Colorado for enacting policies that violate federal immigration law. President Donald Trump has also threatened to withhold federal funding from sanctuary cities.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Latest News Stories
Illinois quick hits: State EPA looks to fund EV charging stations; Tax Foundation says mayor’s proposal would hinder employment;
Federal Lobbyists Brief Will County on Government Shutdown, Warn of SNAP and TSA Disruptions
Frankfort Board Approves Final Plats for Crystal Brook and Copper Creek Subdivisions
Commission Approves Mokena-Area Garage Variance Over Village’s Objection
Will County Committee Advances Gougar Road Bridge Project with Over $540,000 in Agreements
JJC Receives Surprise $1.9 Million from IRS Employee Retention Credit
JJC Advances ERP Modernization with New Vendor and Two-Year Budget
Park District Reviews Emergency Response After Frankfort Square Shelter-in-Place
Will County Committee Shapes 2026 Legislative Agendas on Housing, Energy, and Health
Frankfort Library Board Moves to Explore Community Solar Power
Congressional Perks: Committees, caucuses cost $50 million since 2019
JJC Authorizes Land Buy for Grundy County Expansion, Secures Site in Morris
