Trump administration considers ending immigration and customs processing at ‘sanctuary city’ airports

US Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin announced today that the Trump administration is drawing up plans to stop processing international travelers and cargo at major US airports in “sanctuary cities” that have refused to assist with an immigration crackdown.

The primary motive behind this major move would be to virtually nullify international air travel and commerce at major airports in sanctuary jurisdictions. 

This comes as a recent surge in global terrorism is sparking debate, right as millions of foreign tourists begin streaming into destinations globally for next month’s start of the FIFA World Cup.

The US Justice Department published a list of sanctuary cities and states with major international airports. These included Boston, Denver, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City, Philadelphia, Seattle and San Francisco.

Earlier, Mullin publicly released the threat in April during a financial dispute over funding for his department but he clarified that the idea was under active review. 

While Democrats say certain amendments are needed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Protection CBP), including the assignment of two US citizens in Minneapolis in January.

As reported by the Reuters, US Travel released a statement: “Mullin confirmed his previous comments that the administration is considering a withdrawal of CBP officers from international airports in certain sanctuary cities.”

It has been observed that last year more than 50 million international travelers arrived at three major New York airports. 

Notably, Airlines for America, an association representing major passenger and cargo airlines, stated that implementing integrated risk management at major airports would cripple business operations for carriers, travelers and the flow of international cargo.