GOP Senators Weigh DHS Plan To Pull CBP From Sanctuary Airports
GOP senators are weighing a Department of Homeland Security plan to pull U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers from airports in sanctuary jurisdictions, floated by Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin.[1]
In interviews published June 9, 2026, Sens. Lindsey Graham and Deb Fischer voiced support for imposing consequences on sanctuary cities, while several other Republican senators said they need more information.[1] Democrats pressed Mullin about the idea at a Senate hearing last week, warning it could halt international travel through major airports and damage the U.S. economy.[1] Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has expressed opposition, saying it is important to keep international travel flowing.[1]
In late May 2026, protests and clashes outside the Delaney Hall ICE detention facility in Newark over detainee conditions prompted Mullin to suggest stopping processing of international flights at airports in jurisdictions that limit cooperation with ICE. The threat drew letters from members of Congress and statements from travel industry groups urging the administration not to disrupt airport operations.
The idea has become a flashpoint between Republicans who want to pressure sanctuary jurisdictions and Democrats who say the plan could cripple travel and commerce. Mullin repeated the threat in interviews and congressional appearances after the Newark protests, and those comments resurfaced as senators publicly debated whether to back operational consequences.
A Justice Department list from August 2025 names multiple sanctuary jurisdictions that include cities with major international airports, such as New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston, Denver, Newark, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Seattle. Newark Liberty International Airport handles about 20,000 international passenger arrivals per day, underscoring the potential scale of any CBP pullback.
The mainstream summary does not mention the specific implications of the proposed plan on international travel, which could be significant given that Newark Liberty International Airport alone handles approximately 20,000 international passenger arrivals per day. This detail underscores the potential disruption to travel and commerce that critics have warned about, particularly as the proposal is framed as a retaliatory measure against sanctuary jurisdictions for non-cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. The U.S. Department of Justice's list of sanctuary jurisdictions, published in August 2025, includes major cities like New York and Los Angeles, which could exacerbate the impact on air travel and economic activity. The summary also omits the historical context of sanctuary policies, which are rooted in local law enforcement's need to build trust within communities, a point emphasized by analyses from the University of Chicago that highlight the prioritization of public safety over strict federal compliance. This broader perspective reveals the complexity of the issue beyond the immediate political debate, suggesting that the consequences of such a policy could extend far beyond partisan lines, affecting community relations and public safety efforts.
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📊 Relevant Data
The U.S. Department of Justice published a list in August 2025 of sanctuary jurisdictions that it stated impede federal immigration enforcement; the list includes multiple cities with major international airports such as Boston, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, New York City, Newark, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Seattle.
Justice Department Publishes List of Sanctuary Jurisdictions — U.S. Department of Justice
Newark Liberty International Airport, one of the airports that could be affected, handles approximately 20,000 international passenger arrivals per day.
Airlines urge Trump not to curb international flights at sanctuary cities — CNBC
📌 Key Facts
- Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin has floated a proposal to pull CBP officers from airports in sanctuary jurisdictions that limit or refuse cooperation with ICE.
- In interviews published June 9, 2026, Sens. Lindsey Graham and Deb Fischer voiced support for imposing consequences on sanctuary cities, while several other GOP senators said they need more information.
- Democrats challenged Mullin about the proposal in a Senate hearing last week, warning it could halt international travel through major airports and damage the U.S. economy.
- Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has expressed opposition to the idea, emphasizing the importance of keeping international travel flowing.
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