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DHS Threatens to Pull Customs Officers from Sanctuary City Airports
New Homeland Security Secretary Mullin says DHS may stop processing international flights at major hubs like NYC and Newark if cities don't comply with immigration enforcement.
Apr. 8, 2026 at 7:08pm
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Mullin's threat to pull customs officers from sanctuary city airports could cause major disruptions to international travel and commerce.Hoboken TodayU.S. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin has threatened to pull Customs and Border Patrol officers from airports located in so-called 'sanctuary cities' that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities. This could paralyze major travel hubs like New York City's LaGuardia and JFK airports, as well as Newark Liberty Airport, if the cities do not change their policies.
Why it matters
Mullin's threat escalates the ongoing conflict between the federal government and sanctuary cities over immigration enforcement. Removing customs officers from these airports would cause massive disruptions to international travel and commerce, with potentially severe economic consequences for the affected cities and regions.
The details
Mullin told Fox News that DHS is 'going to have to make hard decisions' about whether to continue processing international flights at airports in sanctuary cities, arguing that these cities are not 'partnering' with federal immigration enforcement. He said DHS will not go 'outside the policies that Congress passed' but will pressure sanctuary cities to change their policies.
- On April 8, 2026, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin made the threat in an interview with Fox News.
The players
Markwayne Mullin
The new U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, appointed by the Trump administration, who has threatened to pull Customs officers from airports in sanctuary cities.
Gavin Newsom
The Governor of California, who slammed Mullin's threat as a 'stupid idea' that would severely harm the economy.
What they’re saying
“If they're a 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 going to enforce immigration policy — maybe we need to have a really hard look at that.”
— Markwayne Mullin, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security
“If you thought the economy was bad with Trump's war driving prices at the pump up … just wait until international travel is halted at some of the busiest airports in the world. Talk about a stupid idea (no wonder it's being considered by the Trump Admin).”
— Gavin Newsom, Governor of California
What’s next
It remains unclear if DHS will follow through on Mullin's threat, as the legality and logistics of removing customs officers from major airports are uncertain. The issue is likely to escalate tensions between the federal government and sanctuary cities in the coming months.
The takeaway
Mullin's threat to pull customs officers from sanctuary city airports highlights the ongoing battle over immigration enforcement between the federal government and local jurisdictions. The potential economic and travel disruptions from such a move underscore how this political conflict could have significant real-world consequences for millions of people.
