Overview
- The Atlantic and other outlets reported Thursday that Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin privately warned airline and travel executives he may reduce or stop U.S. Customs and Border Protection processing at airports serving so‑called sanctuary jurisdictions.
- Reports named major hubs that could be affected, including New York-area airports (JFK and Newark), Los Angeles, Chicago O’Hare, San Francisco, Seattle, Portland, Denver, Philadelphia and Washington Dulles.
- Airline groups and travel trade associations said cutting CBP staffing would cause severe operational disruption for passengers and international cargo, while carriers warned displaced flights and connections could not be easily rerouted.
- DHS has declined to confirm a formal policy, a senior DHS official expressed doubt the plan would be implemented immediately, and several reports say any action would likely be delayed until after the FIFA World Cup in June–July 2026.
- The idea has drawn public pushback inside government from Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and from industry groups, while reporting outlets differ in emphasis between the policy’s political intent, legal limits on reallocating CBP resources, and the practical risks to the aviation system.