DHS Considers Ending Customs Processing at Sanctuary City Airports

Secretary Mullin says federal government may stop customs services in cities that refuse to cooperate on immigration enforcement.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 9:05pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A solitary customs agent stands alone in a dimly lit airport terminal, the warm glow of sunlight casting long shadows across the empty space, conceptually illustrating the tension between federal immigration policies and sanctuary city resistance.The federal government's potential move to end customs processing at sanctuary city airports could have far-reaching economic impacts on these metropolitan hubs.Philadelphia Today

Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said the federal government is considering stopping customs processing at airports in sanctuary cities as a way to pressure them on immigration enforcement. Such a move could effectively lock out global travelers from major cities like New York, New Orleans and Philadelphia, placing a damper on incoming commerce and economic benefits.

Why it matters

This potential policy shift highlights the ongoing tensions between the federal government and sanctuary cities over immigration enforcement. It also raises concerns about the economic impacts that could result from disrupting international travel and commerce in these major metropolitan areas.

The details

Mullin told Fox News that as sanctuary cities refuse to cooperate with DHS to enforce immigration law, the agency may need to consider that when providing services to those cities. He specifically mentioned the possibility of not processing customs at airports in sanctuary cities. This would give the federal government leverage over these jurisdictions, but could also significantly disrupt international travel and commerce in the affected cities.

  • On April 8, 2026, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin discussed the potential policy in an interview.

The players

Markwayne Mullin

The current Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.

Zohran Mamdani

The mayor of New York City, which hosts major international airports like LaGuardia and JFK.

Larry Krasner

The District Attorney of Philadelphia, who recently held a conference at Philadelphia International Airport to threaten prosecution of ICE agents.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

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 because we need a focus on cities that want to work with us.”

— Markwayne Mullin, Secretary of Homeland Security

What’s next

Mullin said the federal government is still considering this policy and has not made any final decisions. The next step would be for DHS to determine if and how they will move forward with potentially ending customs processing at airports in sanctuary cities.

The takeaway

This potential policy shift highlights the ongoing tensions between the federal government and sanctuary cities over immigration enforcement. While it could give the federal government leverage, it also raises significant concerns about the economic impacts that could result from disrupting international travel and commerce in major metropolitan areas.