DHS Secretary Mullin Plans to Halt International Flight Processing in Sanctuary Cities

Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said DHS is drafting a plan to stop CBP processing of passengers and cargo in jurisdictions that refuse to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement, citing recent protests at Newark’s Delaney Hall detention center.

MEAWW

Sanctuary cities limit cooperation with ICE. The Justice Department’s list includes Boston, Denver, Philadelphia, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City, Newark, Seattle and San Francisco. Protests at Delaney Hall blocked DHS staff and saw Senator Andy Kim pepper-sprayed by ICE. DHS “border czar” Tom Homan and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy were cited.

Mediaite

More than 50 million travelers used the three New York-area airports (JFK, LaGuardia, Newark) last year, about 15 million at Newark. Reuters notes “millions of foreign tourists” are expected for the upcoming FIFA World Cup.

New York Post

Mullin said no decision has been made and the plan remains under review. The U.S. Travel Association warned that ending CBP staffing would devastate travel industry and communities dependent on visitors. Airlines for America warned that reduced customs staffing would disrupt operations for carriers, travelers and cargo. Transportation Secretary Duffy said people need airport access. DHS posted that detainees at Delaney Hall receive three meals daily, and Homan said a court order could be sought to force-feed hunger-striking inmates.

New York Post

Juliette Kayyem called the plan “one of the bad ideas floated by this Administration.” Aaron Reichlin-Melnick called it “actively insane,” saying airlines could not reroute flights without massive cancellations. Airlines for America and the U.S. Travel Association warned of “economic damage” beyond the targeted cities.

The Hill

DHS says detainees receive meals, yet activists report a hunger strike. Kayyem sees no immigration effect, while industry groups expect widespread cancellations. Implementation date not announced.

New York Post

• “[W]e’re currently drawing up plans to say, listen, these sanctuary cities where the local radical left Democrats aren’t allowing us to do our jobs and enforce federal laws, then we shouldn’t be processing international flights into their cities either,” — Markwayne Mullin, Secretary of Homeland Security

Just the News

• “They’d just have to cancel flights en masse, causing enormous economic damage that splashed waaaaay beyond a few big cities that were the target.” — Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, Senior Fellow, American Immigration Council

The Hill

• “Of all the bad ideas floated by this Administration, this one ranks,” — Juliette Kayyem, Former DHS Official

The Hill

• “Reducing customs staffing at major airports would disrupt operations significantly for carriers, travelers and the flow of international cargo, Airlines for America, a grouping of major passenger and cargo airlines, said last week.” — Airlines for America, Industry Coalition

Reuters

Mullin said the proposal remains a draft with no timing decision. It could affect FIFA World Cup travel and may trigger court challenges or a court order to force-feed hunger-striking detainees.

New York Post