Story perspectives

DHS Proposes Halting Sanctuary City Flight Customs, Airlines Panic

5/28/2026

Center

Mullin Halts Flights

DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin tied protests at New Jersey detention center to his plan to halt flight processing in sanctuary cities.
The administration is drafting a proposal to stop customs processing of international flights at sanctuary-city airports, with no decision yet.
The U.S. Travel Association warned pulling customs officers would devastate travel industry and visitor-dependent communities.
Immigration Council Aaron Reichlin-Melnick called the proposal insane, saying airlines would cancel flights en masse.

Left

Mullin Claims Arrests

DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin asserted department arrested tens of thousands of gang members and alleged terrorists, yet gave no evidence.
The administration is drafting plans to stop customs processing of flights at sanctuary-city airports, but no decision has been made.
ICE agents pepper-sprayed protesters outside Delaney Hall as Democratic Senator Andy Kim attempted mediation.
Inmates began a strike, prompting Czar Tom Homan to warn of force-feeding if conditions worsen.

History

Historical Context

In 1996 Congress passed the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act (IIRAIRA), signed by President Bill Clinton and effective April 1 1997, which expanded Attorney General detention power, created the 287(g) partnership, and added at least 1,000 border-patrol agents through 2001. DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin’s 2024 proposal to end airport immigration processing revives that centralization, drawing criticism from the U.S. Travel Association, ICE and Senator Andy Kim.

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Mullin Halts Flights

DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin tied protests at New Jersey detention center to his plan to halt flight processing in sanctuary cities.
The administration is drafting a proposal to stop customs processing of international flights at sanctuary-city airports, with no decision yet.
The U.S. Travel Association warned pulling customs officers would devastate travel industry and visitor-dependent communities.
Immigration Council Aaron Reichlin-Melnick called the proposal insane, saying airlines would cancel flights en masse.

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