FILE-U.S. Customs and Border Protection CBP sign, inscription and symbol in yellow background in Newark Liberty International Airport EWR serving the New York Metropolitan area with arriving passenger walking in the terminal towards the immigration p …
The Department of Homeland Security is considering another approach to immigration enforcement focusing on major U.S. airports in so-called "sanctuary cities."
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin told reporters on Tuesday that Customs and Border Protection officials might stop processing international travelers at airports in these cities that aren’t adhering to the Trump administration’s immigration policies.
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Reuters reported that Mullin referenced a current impasse between Republicans and Democrats to reach a deal to fund the Department of Homeland Security, including Customs and Border Protection, and told reporters he may speak with President Donald Trump regarding the concept of pulling customs offices.
Last year, the Department of Justice released a list of "sanctuary cities" and states that included cities with major international airports, which included Denver, Philadelphia, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City, and San Francisco.
What would removing CPB officers from airports mean for travelers?
Dig deeper:
A potential removal of Customs and Border Protection officers from airports might disrupt international travel and trade.
The Associated Press reported that CBP officers check all incoming travelers into the U.S. and the billions of dollars of trade that enters through land crossings and airports.
RELATED: Trump administration proposes cutting 9,400 TSA workers, $1.5 billion from budget
This latest news comes a day after the White House proposed to cut more than 9,400 Transportation Security Administration workers and a slightly over $1.5 billion from the agency that manages airport security operations.
What are ‘sanctuary cities'?
The backstory:
While there is no clear definition of a sanctuary area, it is typically understood to reference state and local governments that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
After releasing a list of these areas back in May 2025, the Department of Homeland Security said it considered "factors like compliance with federal law enforcement, information restrictions, and legal protections for illegal aliens."
The Source: Information for this story was provided by Reuters, previous FOX Local reporting, and The Associated Press. This story was reported from Washington, D.C.