Sanctuary Cities Could Lose Airport Customs Agents

DHS considers cracking down on international airports in sanctuary cities that refuse to cooperate with federal immigration authorities.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 12:09am

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A dynamic, abstract painting with overlapping geometric shapes and lines in shades of blue, grey, and white, conceptually representing the disruption and chaos that could result from removing customs agents from sanctuary city airports.The administration's threat to remove customs agents from sanctuary city airports could snarl international travel and commerce.Washington Today

The Department of Homeland Security is considering taking action against international airports operating in so-called 'sanctuary' cities that refuse to cooperate with federal immigration authorities. DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin suggested that sanctuary cities hosting international flights may lose their customs processing if they continue to defy federal immigration policies.

Why it matters

This move would put pressure on sanctuary cities to comply with federal immigration enforcement by threatening to disrupt international travel and commerce at their airports. It reflects the administration's broader efforts to terminate federal funding for jurisdictions that limit cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

The details

Mullin told Fox News that the administration may remove or reduce the number of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents at airports in sanctuary cities, which would lead to long lines and delays for international travelers. This could prove politically challenging for lawmakers who have already faced backlash over airport security issues.

  • In January 2026, DHS estimated that 2.2 million illegal immigrants had self-deported, while 675,000 were forcibly removed.
  • The administration has offered $2,600 exit bonuses, free plane tickets, and fine forgiveness to incentivize voluntary departure of illegal immigrants.

The players

Markwayne Mullin

The newly confirmed Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)

The federal agency that operates at over 300 points of entry throughout the U.S., including international airports.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

The federal agency that oversees immigration enforcement, including at international gateways.

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What they’re saying

“Some of these cities have international airports–if they're a sanctuary city, should they really be processing customs in their city?”

— Markwayne Mullin, DHS Secretary

“Well, who processes those individuals when they walk off the plane? And so I'm going to have to be forced to make hard decisions.”

— Markwayne Mullin, DHS Secretary

What’s next

The DHS is expected to make a decision in the coming weeks on whether to remove or reduce the number of CBP agents at airports in sanctuary cities.

The takeaway

This potential crackdown on sanctuary cities' international airports is the latest move by the administration to force compliance with federal immigration policies, raising concerns about the impact on travel, commerce, and political tensions.