Trump Administration Proposal to Pull Customs Officers From Sanctuary City Airports Faces Growing Backlash

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Business groups, airlines, and travel industry leaders are warning that a proposal by the administration of President Donald Trump to remove customs officers from airports located in so-called “sanctuary cities” could trigger major disruptions across the United States aviation system and international travel network. (Inquirer.com)

The controversy centers on comments made by Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, who has said the Department of Homeland Security is considering withdrawing U.S. Customs and Border Protection personnel from airports in jurisdictions that limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. The proposal would effectively prevent affected airports from processing arriving international passengers and cargo. (Reuters)

Travel Industry Warns of Economic Consequences

Major industry organizations, including the U.S. Travel Association and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, have publicly opposed the proposal.

In a joint statement, the groups warned that reducing Customs and Border Protection operations at major international gateways would create widespread disruption throughout the national transportation system. They argued that airports in cities such as New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston, and Chicago serve as critical hubs for millions of travelers and billions of dollars in commerce each year. (Inquirer.com)

Industry leaders also cautioned that shifting international flights to alternative airports would be difficult due to capacity constraints, infrastructure limitations, staffing shortages, and operational costs. (Business Insider)

Airports Could Face Operational Chaos

Experts say customs officers are required for international arrivals, meaning airports without federal customs services would be unable to receive incoming international flights.

According to travel analysts cited in recent reports, major hubs such as John F. Kennedy International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, and Newark Liberty International Airport process tens of millions of international passengers annually and cannot be easily replaced by other facilities. (Business Insider)

Airline representatives have warned that rerouting large volumes of international traffic could create delays, congestion, and economic losses extending far beyond the cities targeted by the policy. Several carriers and aviation organizations have reportedly urged federal officials to abandon the proposal. (PYOK)

Immigration Enforcement at the Center of the Debate

The proposal is tied to the administration’s broader immigration enforcement agenda. Sanctuary cities generally maintain policies limiting cooperation between local authorities and federal immigration agencies such as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Supporters argue such policies build trust between immigrant communities and local law enforcement, while critics contend they hinder federal immigration enforcement efforts. (Wikipedia)

Secretary Mullin has argued that jurisdictions refusing to cooperate with federal immigration authorities should not benefit from federal resources used to process international travelers. However, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has reportedly expressed skepticism about the practicality of the proposal. (Business Insider)

Legal and Political Questions Remain

Legal experts have also questioned whether the federal government could lawfully use airport customs operations as leverage against sanctuary jurisdictions. Some constitutional scholars argue that courts have previously rejected efforts to penalize local governments over immigration policies, raising questions about whether such a measure could withstand legal challenges. (San Francisco Chronicle)

As of June 1, 2026, no final policy has been announced. The Department of Homeland Security has confirmed that discussions are ongoing, but details regarding implementation, affected airports, or timelines have not been officially released. (Reuters)