Passengers are seen at the international arrivals gate of JFK International Airport in New York on June 16, 2025.
Charlie Tribleau | AFP | getty images
Groups representing the largest US airlines and hotel chains criticized the Trump administration’s potential halting of customs and immigration processing at “sanctuary city” airports, warning that such a move could have “devastating” consequences on the industry.
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said in an interview on Fox News’ “Hannity” Tuesday night that if “radical left Democrats” are not going to allow the government to “enforce federal laws… then we shouldn’t even be processing international flights in their cities.”
The secretary’s comments came just ahead of next month’s FIFA Men’s World Cup, which is expected to draw millions of visitors to host cities in the US, Canada and Mexico, worrying the travel industry.
Mullin said the Trump administration is “drawing up plans” but not implementing anything yet. The timing of the idea’s emergence raises questions about whether the administration is using its leverage to try to persuade cities whose immigration policies it disagrees with to be less generous with undocumented immigrants.
Dispute over immigration could disrupt international flights into the US The Justice Department last August published a list of states and cities it said were disrupting US immigration policies, including major international air hubs New York, Newark, New Jersey, Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle and Philadelphia.
“Reducing (Customs and Border Protection) staffing at major airports would have a devastating impact on the airline and tourism industries, causing significant operational disruption to the flow of carriers, passengers and international cargo,” said Airlines for America, a trade association whose members include American Airlines, United Airlines And delta air lines.
US Travel Association, whose members include airlines and major hotel chains hilton And marriotsaid Mullin confirmed in a meeting with the group that the administration was considering recalling CPB officers. The group also said it would have “devastating consequences for the travel industry and communities dependent on international tour.”