Trump Admin ‘Sanctuary City' CBP Shutdown Plan Gains Momentum
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin‘s proposal to pull U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) from sanctuary cities appeared to gain further Republican Party support Tuesday, despite warnings of widespread economic fallout.
The potential move, first floated in April, would be the latest Trump administration attempt to put pressure on largely Democratic-run cities and states that have policies preventing local law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration enforcement efforts.
While there is no confirmed timeframe for pulling the border patrol from airports in cities in New York, Illinois and California, some GOP senators have added their support in recent days.
South Carolina’s Lindsey Graham told Fox News Digital on Tuesday that there should be consequences to cities and states that undercut federal law, adding that he agreed with what Mullin was doing. Deb Fischer of Nebraska also told the outlet that sanctuary cities should face consequences.
“If they want to be a sanctuary city, they've made that choice and they're getting a response now from Homeland Security,” Fischer said.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) referred Newsweek to Mullin’s original remarks on the idea when reached for further comment.
When Did Mullin Propose the Plan?
Mullin first spoke about the idea in April, when he took over for ousted Kristi Noem and was asked about cities, counties and states with sanctuary policies.
“I believe sanctuary cities is not lawful,” Mullin told Fox News’ Bret Baier at the time. “I don’t think they’re able to do that. And so we’re going to take a hard look at this. This one area we may take a hard look at is some of these cities have international airports. If they’re a sanctuary city, should they really be processing customs into their city?
“Seriously, if they’re sanctuary city and they’re receiving international flights, and we’re asking them to partner with us at the airport, but once they walk out of the airport, they’re not gonna enforce immigration policy. Maybe we need to have a really hard look at that because we need a focus on cities that want to work with us.”
At the center of the proposal is the potential removal, or reduction, of CBP officers from international terminals in cities including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and San Francisco.
Because federal law requires all international passengers and cargo to clear customs and immigration inspection upon arrival, eliminating CBP staffing would mean airports could no longer legally process international flights.
How Has the Left Responded?
Democrats have sharply criticized the proposal, warning that it could disrupt travel nationwide and inject politics into critical infrastructure.
New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill called the idea of pulling customs officers from Newark Liberty International Airport "completely ridiculous," per Forbes, arguing that it could effectively shut down an international terminal.
More broadly, Democratic critics argue that the proposal risks harming travelers and the economy far beyond the targeted jurisdictions, particularly because international air travel depends on a limited number of major gateway airports.
How Has the Right Responded?
Along with Graham and Fischer’s support, Mullin’s proposal has drawn praise from Indiana Senator Jim Banks, who said Millin was “on to something here.”
Not all GOP lawmakers are on board just yet, with Missouri Senator Josh Hawley telling Fox: “I don’t know about this…I don't know what to make of that.”
Ashley Moody, a Florida senator, was more cautious, saying she needed more information about the proposal. Alaska’s Lisa Murkowski voiced a similar opinion when approached by Fox.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy earlier warned against limiting air travel based on political disagreements, telling the Associated Press: "We shouldn't shut down air travel in a state that doesn't agree with our politics."
How Could Proposal Impact Economy?
Warnings have come from industry groups and experts about the potential economic impact of pulling CBP officers from airports, which could disrupt international flights.
- Airlines and travel groups have warned that reducing CBP staffing would have a devastating effect on international travel, cargo and tourism.
- Transportation officials, including Duffy, have cautioned that shutting down customs operations at major airports would disrupt nationwide air travel-not just targeted cities.
- Industry analysts and former officials have said the plan could cause catastrophic logistical problems at already‑congested global hubs.
Trade groups have framed the issue not as a localized policy dispute but a broader risk to the national travel system, warning of cascading delays, rerouted flights and disruptions to supply chains.
“International aviation networks are highly interconnected, and operational changes at a small number of gateway airports will quickly ripple across the country, negatively impacting travelers, cargo shipments, supply chains, and the communities that depend on those connections,” a group of airline industry representatives wrote in a joint letter May 29.
The groups, including the American Association of Airport Executives and the U.S. Travel Association, urged DHS to avoid implementing the plan.
Even some administration officials have questioned whether such a move would be feasible given capacity limits at other airports.
Why CBP Is Central to Airport Operations
The intensity of the reaction reflects the critical role CBP plays at U.S. airports. It is the primary federal agency responsible for inspecting all people and goods entering the U.S., combining customs enforcement, immigration screening and security checks into a single process.
At airports, CBP officers are stationed at "ports of entry," where they:
- Inspect travelers' documents and determine admissibility
- Screen for immigration violations or visa misuse
- Examine baggage and cargo for contraband
- Enforce customs laws and collect duties
- Conduct agricultural inspections to prevent pests or disease
Every international passenger arriving in the U.S. must go through CBP inspection, typically starting with a primary screening interview, followed by additional checks if needed. Without CBP personnel on site, that process cannot occur, meaning flights from abroad would either be diverted to other airports or canceled.
What Happens Next
For now, the proposal remains under discussion, with no operational changes implemented.
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This story was originally published June 9, 2026 at 2:28 PM.