DHS says US could stop processing international travelers at some airports in 'sanctuary cities'

WASHINGTON, April 7 (Reuters) - Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said on Tuesday that customs officials could stop processing international travelers at ​major U.S. airports in “sanctuary cities” that have declined to cooperate with the ‌Trump administration’s hardline immigration crackdown, a move that could severely impact U.S. trade and tourism.

The move could effectively halt international air travel and commerce at major airports in Democratic states, and have major ramifications ​for the FIFA World Cup that is set to start in early ​June. More than 50 million international travelers arrived at the three ⁠major New York airports alone last year.

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The U.S. Department of Justice published a ​list of so-called sanctuary cities and states in October 2025 that included many cities with major ​international airports, such as Denver, Philadelphia, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City, Newark, Seattle and San Francisco.

U.S. airports and immigration enforcement have been at the center of a partisan funding fight since ​mid-February, when Democrats refused to support additional money for President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown ​without reforms to scale back aggressive tactics.

Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin talks with Attorney General Pam Bondi before President Donald Trump speaks about the Iran war from the Cross Hall of the White House on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in Washington. Alex Brandon/Pool via REUTERS Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab

Mullin cited the ongoing refusal of Democrats to reach a ‌deal ⁠to fund the Department of Homeland Security, including Customs and Border Protection, and said he anticipated speaking with Trump about the idea of pulling customs offices.

“It’s an option,” Mullin told reporters in North Carolina, adding no decision had been made. “If cities are ​going to sit there ​and say that ⁠they’re not going to enforce immigration policies, then I’ll repeat myself and say it doesn’t make any sense for us ​to process international travelers through that city.”

Mullin said pulling the ​customs officers ⁠was one of several options under consideration as Congress remains deadlocked over funding for DHS.

“We’re going to start having those conversations. As I said, this is just something ⁠I’m thinking. ​This isn’t something that I’m necessarily going to ​do,” he said.

Mullin argued that state and city policies and laws limiting immigration enforcement were illegal because they ​contradicted federal immigration laws.

Reporting by David Shepardson and Ted Hesson; Editing by Nia Williams

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Ted Hesson

Thomson Reuters

Ted Hesson is an immigration reporter for Reuters, based in Washington, D.C. His work focuses on the policy and politics of immigration, asylum and border security. Prior to joining Reuters in 2019, Ted worked for the news outlet POLITICO, where he also covered immigration. His articles have appeared in POLITICO Magazine, The Atlantic and VICE News, among other publications. Ted holds a master’s degree from the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism and bachelor’s degree from Boston College.

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