Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin has floated a proposal to pull Customs and Border Protection officers from airports in jurisdictions that refuse to cooperate with federal immigration authorities, drawing sharp reactions from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.
The plan would effectively halt international travel at major airports in sanctuary cities, where local governments limit or refuse cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Mullin has framed the proposal as a response to ongoing disputes over immigration enforcement funding and local-federal coordination.
What the Left Is Saying
Senate Democrats during a recent hearing roundly criticized the proposal, with members calling it "outrageous" and "insane." They argued that removing CBP officers from major city airports would cause chaos and devastating economic impacts at a time when international travel demand is high.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy also expressed opposition to the idea, emphasizing the need for open travel corridors. Democrats warned that halting international arrivals during peak summer months would disrupt commerce, tourism, and the movement of American citizens returning from overseas.
What the Right Is Saying
Republican senators largely voiced support for the approach, saying sanctuary cities should face consequences for undermining federal immigration law.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., told Fox News Digital: "I think there should be consequences to cities and states that undercut federal law. I think they should pay a price for what they do. I agree with what he's doing."
Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., said sanctuary cities made their choice and are now facing a response from Homeland Security. "If they want to be a sanctuary city, they've made that choice and they're getting a response now from Homeland Security," Fischer said. She added that she hoped local law enforcement would cooperate with ICE, noting that "ICE is federal law enforcement. They're doing their job. They're following the law."
What the Numbers Show
The proposal carries significant implications for international travel infrastructure. Without customs agents present, airports cannot process arriving international passengers or cargo, effectively grounding all inbound flights from foreign destinations.
The timing of the debate coincides with preparations for the World Cup, which the United States is set to host. The tournament is expected to generate some of the highest inbound travel volumes in years, with millions of international visitors anticipated.
Several Republican senators said they had not yet fully reviewed the proposal and wanted additional details before taking a definitive position. Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., told reporters: "I don't know about this. Somebody else asked me about that, and I hadn't seen that from him yet. So I don't know what to make of that."
The Bottom Line
Mullin has indicated the proposal remains under active consideration. While a majority of Senate Republicans have signaled support for using CBP staffing as leverage against sanctuary jurisdictions, a contingent of GOP senators are pressing for more information before committing to a position.
The debate highlights an ongoing tension between local autonomy and federal immigration enforcement priorities. What happens next likely depends on whether the administration moves forward with any operational changes at major airports and how courts respond to potential legal challenges from affected jurisdictions.