On Monday, Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Markwayne Mullin, indicated that the Trump administration is considering measures against international airports located in sanctuary cities that do not collaborate with federal immigration agencies.
During an interview with Fox News anchor Bret Baier on the program “Special Report,” Mullin questioned, “Some of these cities have international airports — if they’re a sanctuary city, should they really be processing customs into their city?”
Mullin elaborated, saying, “If they’re a sanctuary city accepting international flights and we request their cooperation at the airport, but they refuse to enforce immigration policies once passengers leave, perhaps it’s time to reevaluate our approach. Our focus should be on cities willing to work with us.”
Baier inquired whether Mullin was implying that international airports in these sanctuary cities might lose their customs operations.
Mullin replied, “We’ll need to start prioritizing at some point. It’s important to remember that Democrats are advocating for defunding Customs and Border Patrol.”
He further explained, “Who is responsible for processing passengers when they disembark? I may have to make challenging decisions in response.”
US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents operate at more than 300 ports of entry, including international airports, throughout the country.
Removing CBP from sanctuary city airports would be in-line with the Trump administrationâs policy of terminating federal funding for jurisdictions that prevent local law enforcement and jails from working with federal immigration enforcement agents.
Reducing the number of CBP agents at sanctuary city airports would likely create long lines for international travelers seeking to enter or re-enter the US.
Federal funding for DHS lapsed on Feb. 14, when Democratic lawmakers voted to shut down the department over concerns about CBP and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) policies.
ICE and CBP, however, remain funded through President Trumpâs One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
DHS did not immediately respond to The Postâs request for comment.
During his appearance on âSpecial Report,â Mullin also revealed that nearly 3 million illegal immigrants have either self-deported or been deported since Trump took office.
âThe last number that Iâve seen is weâve deported between â either deported or self-deported ⦠just shy of 3 million,â Mullin told Baier.
In January, DHS estimated that 2.2 million migrants had self-deported, whereas 675,000 were forcibly deported.
The Trump administration has offered $2,600 exit bonuses, free plane tickets and forgiveness of fines for illegal immigrants that choose to voluntarily leave the country.
