DHS says it is drafting plans to halt international traveler and cargo processing at airports in sanctuary cities

Wednesday, May 27, 2026Rights & JusticeWell-covered5 frames

Markwayne Mullin said the administration is drawing up plans to stop processing international travelers and cargo at airports in jurisdictions described as sanctuary cities.
Mullin said the proposal is aimed at cities and local governments that limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
Mullin discussed the idea publicly in an interview on Fox News, where he said plans were being developed but had not yet been issued as policy.
Mullin tied the proposal, at least in part, to recent protests and clashes around the Delaney Hall ICE detention center in Newark, New Jersey.
Reports say the measure could affect major airports in cities including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and San Francisco.
Multiple reports say suspending customs and immigration processing at those airports could disrupt international passenger travel and air cargo operations.
Several reports note that the proposal is being considered close to the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, when large numbers of international visitors are expected to travel to the United States.
No final decision or implementation details have been announced, and reports describe the proposal as still under review.

How left and right are reading this

Both agree: A still-unfinalized federal proposal would use airport processing as leverage against jurisdictions that limit cooperation with immigration enforcement, with potentially large real-world effects because major international gateways and cargo hubs could be caught up before any final policy is announced.
They split on: Whether the story is mainly about the collateral disruption to international travel and cargo at major airports, especially with the World Cup approaching, or about a not-yet-final federal response to sanctuary-city resistance and protests tied to immigration enforcement.

Markwayne Mullin said the administration is drawing up plans to stop processing international travelers and cargo at airports in jurisdictions described as sanctuary cities.
Mullin said the proposal is aimed at cities and local governments that limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
Mullin discussed the idea publicly in an interview on Fox News, where he said plans were being developed but had not yet been issued as policy.
Mullin tied the proposal, at least in part, to recent protests and clashes around the Delaney Hall ICE detention center in Newark, New Jersey.
Reports say the measure could affect major airports in cities including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and San Francisco.
Multiple reports say suspending customs and immigration processing at those airports could disrupt international passenger travel and air cargo operations.
Several reports note that the proposal is being considered close to the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, when large numbers of international visitors are expected to travel to the United States.
No final decision or implementation details have been announced, and reports describe the proposal as still under review.