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DHS Threat To Halt Customs Processing At Sanctuary-City Airports Spurs Travel Industry Backlash
DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin said on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, that the department is drawing up plans to stop processing international flights into so-called "sanctuary" city airports, a statement that has alarmed the travel industry.[1]
Mullin told U.S. travel executives the idea is serious and said the plans were still being drafted, not yet initiated.[1] FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford warned that cutting Customs and Border Protection staffing at sanctuary airports would create "a challenge for the airlines" and leave few options to shift international flights.[2]
The proposal builds on a position Mullin promoted as a senator, where he repeatedly urged stripping federal aid from airports that adopt sanctuary policies.[1] Major business and travel groups say removing customs officers from designated sanctuary airports would cause severe operational chaos and economic damage, especially during the summer travel season and the 2026 World Cup.[3] Customs and Border Protection officials have privately questioned whether withdrawing inspectors on the scale Mullin discussed would be feasible or legal, and trade associations are preparing formal letters and potential lawsuits.[3]
Early accounts emphasized Mullin's intent and noted doubts inside the administration about the plan's logic.[1] Subsequent reporting has shown broad resistance from airports, airlines and business groups and detailed preparations for legal challenges to any unilateral pullback of customs services.[3]
Show source details & analysis (4 sources)
📌 Key Facts
- On Tuesday, May 26, 2026, DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin told Fox News that DHS is “currently drawing up plans” to stop processing international flights into so‑called sanctuary cities, though he said the plans are not yet being initiated, and the proposal builds on a long‑standing position he promoted as a senator calling for stripping federal aid from airports in sanctuary cities (DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin).
- Mullin privately told U.S. travel executives that DHS could stop customs and immigration processing for international travelers at sanctuary‑city airports, and the U.S. Travel Association told officials that Mullin said he is serious about those plans (U.S. Travel Association).
- In an interview published Friday, May 29, 2026, FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said a DHS move to reduce Customs and Border Protection staffing at sanctuary‑city airports would create “a challenge for the airlines” and that there would be “very limited opportunities to move international flights from one airport to another at this point” (FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford).
- Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy criticized the idea as illogical—saying it “doesn't make sense”—and in recent congressional testimony warned, “We shouldn't shut down air travel in a state that doesn't agree with our politics,” underscoring internal administration skepticism about using border operations for political ends (Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy).
- Major business and travel groups warned that pulling customs and immigration officers from designated “sanctuary” airports would cause severe operational chaos and economic damage, noting the affected hubs collectively handle a substantial share of U.S.‑bound international traffic ahead of the 2026 World Cup and peak summer travel (major business and travel groups).
- Airport and airline officials say contingency planning is extremely limited because most international carriers cannot readily shift flights to non‑sanctuary airports due to gate, runway and customs‑capacity constraints, making operational relocation difficult in the short term (airport and airline officials).
- Customs and Border Protection officials privately questioned the feasibility and legality of reallocating or withdrawing inspection officers at the scale Mullin has discussed, and airport and airline trade associations are preparing formal letters and possible legal challenges while some local officials weigh litigation and legislative responses (Customs and Border Protection officials).
📰 Source Timeline (4)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
May 31, 2026
9:02 AM
Pulling Customs From ‘Sanctuary’ City Airports Would Cause Chaos, Business Groups Say
New information:
- The article reports detailed objections from major business and travel groups, who warn that pulling customs and immigration officers from designated 'sanctuary' airports would cause severe operational chaos and economic damage.
- It specifies that affected airports include large international hubs in self-designated sanctuary jurisdictions, which collectively handle a substantial share of U.S.-bound international traffic, especially ahead of the 2026 World Cup and peak summer travel.
- Business leaders and airport officials describe contingency planning as extremely limited, saying most international carriers cannot readily shift flights to non‑sanctuary airports because of gate, runway, and customs-capacity constraints.
- The story adds that Customs and Border Protection officials privately question the feasibility and legality of reallocating or withdrawing inspection officers on the scale Mullin has discussed, raising internal resistance within DHS.
- Airport and airline trade associations tell the Times they are preparing formal letters and possible legal challenges arguing that DHS cannot unilaterally cut off customs processing at airports that meet federal security and facility standards.
- The article notes that some local officials at targeted airports are weighing litigation and legislative responses, framing Mullin's idea as using federal border authorities to punish local sanctuary policies rather than for operational needs.
May 29, 2026
11:01 AM
Air traffic control run by Compaq computers is safe but inefficient, FAA head says
New information:
- In an interview published Friday, May 29, 2026, FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said a DHS move to reduce Customs and Border Protection staffing at sanctuary-city airports would create 'a challenge for the airlines' and that there would be 'very limited opportunities to move international flights from one airport to another at this point.'
- Bedford emphasized that any CBP staffing reductions at major airports, if implemented during the 2026 summer and World Cup travel period, would particularly disrupt where passengers can clear customs, affecting both U.S. citizens and foreign nationals.
- Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, in recent congressional testimony referenced in the article, said, 'We shouldn't shut down air travel in a state that doesn't agree with our politics,' underscoring internal administration concern about the proposal's impact.
May 27, 2026
2:57 PM
DHS’ Mullin eyes plans to sabotage airports in so-called ‘sanctuary cities’
New information:
- On Tuesday, May 26, 2026, DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin told Fox News that DHS is 'currently drawing up plans' to stop processing international flights into so-called sanctuary cities, though he said the plans are not yet being initiated.
- The article notes that Mullin's comments build on a long-standing position he promoted as a senator, where he repeatedly called for stripping federal aid from airports in sanctuary cities.
- The piece reiterates that, as reported by Reuters and The Atlantic the prior week, Mullin privately told U.S. travel executives that DHS could stop customs and immigration processing for international travelers at sanctuary city airports, and that the U.S. Travel Association said Mullin told them he is serious about these plans.
- Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is quoted as saying the idea 'doesn't make sense' to him, underscoring internal administration skepticism about the proposal.
- The article frames the timing as ahead of the summer travel season and World Cup games, highlighting the potential scale of disruption if DHS moved forward.