Homeland Security officials are again signaling that international travel operations at several major U.S. airports could face disruption amid ongoing disputes over sanctuary city immigration policies.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
The Department of Homeland Security is again warning that international passenger and cargo processing at several major American airports could be suspended if local governments continue limiting cooperation with federal immigration enforcement efforts, according to a new Reuters report.
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin reportedly delivered the warning during a private meeting with travel industry executives last week, telling attendees that DHS retains the authority to stop processing international arrivals at airports located in jurisdictions classified as sanctuary cities by the Trump administration.
The airports discussed reportedly include major international hubs serving Denver, Philadelphia, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City, Newark, Seattle, and San Francisco.
The comments followed similar public statements Mullin made in April during negotiations tied to DHS funding, when he warned that the department could take action against jurisdictions refusing to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement priorities.
According to reports, the administration’s concerns center on sanctuary policies adopted by certain cities and counties that restrict local participation in immigration enforcement. These measures commonly limit cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainer requests unless federal authorities obtain judicial warrants. Some jurisdictions also prohibit local agencies from sharing certain immigration-related information or assisting in transfers of undocumented immigrants into federal custody.
Supporters of sanctuary policies argue the measures improve public safety by encouraging illegal immigrants and mixed-status families to report crimes and cooperate with police without fear that local interactions will trigger immigration consequences. Advocates say the policies help maintain trust between immigrant communities and municipal law enforcement agencies.
Critics, however, contend the restrictions obstruct federal immigration enforcement operations and create barriers for ICE officials attempting to detain or remove illegal immigrants with criminal records or outstanding deportation orders.
The dispute has remained a central flashpoint between the Trump administration and local governments in several large metropolitan areas. Federal officials have repeatedly challenged sanctuary policies through funding threats, litigation, and administrative enforcement actions, arguing that local governments should fully cooperate with federal immigration authorities.
Cities repeatedly involved in those disputes have included New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Seattle, Denver, and Newark, all of which have faced pressure from federal officials over the extent of their compliance with immigration enforcement requests.
The administration has not publicly announced any timeline for implementing airport-related restrictions, and DHS has not formally declared that processing suspensions are imminent. However, the renewed private warnings to travel executives indicate the issue remains under active consideration as immigration enforcement continues to be a major policy priority for the administration.