Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin is reportedly weighing the withdrawal of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers from airports in sanctuary cities, a move that could significantly disrupt international travel. The U.S. Travel Association confirmed Mullin's consideration of the plan during a recent meeting, sparking immediate backlash from industry leaders.

Travel Industry Reacts

The U.S. Travel Association warned that such a move would have

'devastating consequences for the travel industry and communities that depend on international visitation.'
Major airlines and trade groups, including Airlines for America, echoed these concerns, emphasizing the potential economic impact and operational disruptions.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy expressed skepticism about the proposal, stating that restricting air travel based on political disagreements would be counterproductive.

'We shouldn’t shut down air travel in a state that doesn’t agree with our politics,'
Duffy said during a Congressional hearing. The Trump administration has previously attempted to withhold funding from sanctuary cities, but courts have consistently rejected such efforts.

While the specifics of Mullin's plan remain unclear, the Justice Department has previously identified dozens of sanctuary jurisdictions. The proposal underscores ongoing tensions between federal immigration enforcement and local policies limiting cooperation with ICE.