Travelers flying internationally from San Francisco may face challenges if the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) decides to withdraw Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers from airports located in sanctuary cities.
In a recent discussion with Fox News, DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin indicated that the Trump administration is contemplating halting customs services in cities that do not align with federal immigration enforcement efforts.
“Some of these cities have international airports. If they’re a sanctuary city, should they really be processing customs into their city?” Mullin questioned.
He continued, “If they’re a sanctuary city, accepting international flights, and we’re asking them to collaborate with us at the airport, yet they choose not to enforce immigration policies beyond the airport, perhaps we need to reconsider our approach. Our focus should be on cities willing to cooperate.”
CBP officers are stationed at over 300 entry points nationwide, including major international airports.
This potential policy shift could significantly impact several international hubs in California. Here are some of the affected locations.
- San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
- San Diego International Airport (SAN)
- Oakland International Airport (OAK)
If this threat did come to be, the San Francisco Chronicle reported that travel at places like SFO would “effectively halt” international travel. Removing these agents could cause horrendous lines for those trying to re-enter the U.S. or get into the country.
Removing CBP from sanctuary city airports would be in-line with the Trump administration’s policy of terminating federal funding for jurisdictions that prevent local law enforcement and jails from working with federal immigration enforcement agents.
“Starting February 1, we’re not making any payments to sanctuary cities or states having sanctuary cities because they do everything possible to protect criminals at the expense of American citizens,” Trump said during a speech in Detroit.
When the Trump administration deployed ICE agents to airports across the country to relieve the strain on the lack of TSA workers amid the partial government shutdown, SFO was not affected because it contracts its own TSA agents.
The California Post reached out to LAX and SFO for further comment.
California Governor Gavin Newsom’s press office took the opportunity to slam the administration’s plan.
“If you thought the economy was bad with Trump’s war driving prices at the pump up … just wait until international travel is halted at some of the busiest airports in the world,” a post on X from Newsom’s press office read.
“Talk about a stupid idea (no wonder it’s being considered by the Trump Admin).”
The Post reached out to Newsom’s office who said the post on social media speaks for itself.
