Potential CBP Withdrawal from Airports Concerns Travel Industry

The travel industry is concerned following remarks by Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin. He suggested withdrawing U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers from airports in ‘sanctuary cities,’ which could disrupt international flights.

The U.S. Travel Association reported that Mullin is considering the action. This was confirmed during a meeting where the industry voiced concerns about other proposals from the Trump administration that might hinder travel. Both U.S. Travel and major airlines quickly opposed the idea. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated at a Congressional hearing that such a move seems illogical to him.

Industry Reaction

U.S. Travel emphasized the potential damage to both the industry and communities relying on international visitors. They issued a statement highlighting the possible impact.

We have people from around the world and around the country that need to be able to fly into all different kinds of places. We shouldn’t shut down air travel in a state that doesn’t agree with our politics, said Duffy, further questioning the proposal’s validity within the administration.

Background and Implications

President Donald Trump previously threatened to cut funding to sanctuary cities, which have policies that limit cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The courts have previously rejected attempts to remove funding from these cities.

The potential targets for Mullin’s proposal remain unclear, though the Justice Department identified several states, cities, and counties as sanctuary jurisdictions last year.

The Airlines for America trade group warned that reducing CBP staffing at major airports could harm the airline and tourism sectors. This would lead to significant disruptions affecting carriers, travelers, and international cargo flow.