DHS Chief Mulls Yanking Customs from Sanctuary City Airports

Threat to O'Hare sparks rebuke from Illinois Governor Pritzker

Apr. 8, 2026 at 11:18pm

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A cinematic painting of a lone customs officer standing in an empty airport terminal, the space bathed in warm, diagonal sunlight and deep shadows, capturing the quiet tension and uncertainty of the political standoff.The potential disruption of customs services at major sanctuary city airports like O'Hare exposes the political tensions between federal and local authorities.Chicago Today

Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin suggested this week that customs processing at major airports in sanctuary cities such as Chicago could be at risk, raising concerns about the impact on O'Hare International Airport and its plans for expanded customs facilities.

Why it matters

Removing customs services from sanctuary city airports like O'Hare would have serious consequences, disrupting international travel and commerce. It also represents an escalation in the ongoing tensions between the federal government and sanctuary cities over immigration enforcement.

The details

Mullin told Fox News he believes sanctuary cities are 'not lawful,' and that raises questions for him about their relationship with services like customs. He suggested the federal government may need to 'prioritize' which cities it partners with on customs processing. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker criticized the idea, saying it would 'shut down America's busiest airports' and 'ruin our economy' right before the World Cup, which several sanctuary cities are hosting matches for.

  • On April 8, 2026, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin made the comments on Fox News.

The players

Markwayne Mullin

The current U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, who suggested customs processing could be pulled from sanctuary city airports.

JB Pritzker

The Governor of Illinois, who criticized Mullin's comments and warned of the economic impact on airports like O'Hare.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection

The federal agency that screens international travelers and overseas mail at airports like O'Hare.

Chicago Department of Aviation

The city agency that oversees O'Hare International Airport, which is planning a major expansion of its customs facilities.

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What they’re saying

“If they're a sanctuary city, should they really be processing customs into their city?”

— Markwayne Mullin, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security

“Right before the World Cup? If your first move is trying to shut down America's busiest airports, you're really hitting the ground running — blocking tourism industry and ruining our economy.”

— JB Pritzker, Governor of Illinois

What’s next

The Biden administration and Congress will likely need to intervene to prevent any disruption to customs services at major international airports in sanctuary cities. The issue could also become a point of contention in the 2028 presidential election.

The takeaway

This dispute highlights the ongoing tensions between the federal government and sanctuary cities over immigration enforcement, with the potential to significantly impact international travel, commerce, and the economies of major metropolitan areas.