Trump Administration Draws Up Plans to Halt Immigration Processing at Sanctuary City Airports

Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin stated in a May 26, 2026 Fox News interview that the Trump administration is developing plans to halt processing at airports in sanctuary cities including Boston, Denver, Philadelphia, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City, Newark, Seattle and San Francisco. This could impact the FIFA World Cup starting June 2026. More than 50 million international travelers arrived at three major New York airports in 2025.

Sanctuary city airport processing halt

• ▪The U.S. Justice Department published a list of sanctuary cities and states that included Boston, Denver, Philadelphia, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City, Newark, Seattle and San Francisco
• ▪US Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said the Trump administration is drawing up plans to stop processing international travelers and cargo at major U.S. airports in sanctuary cities that have declined to cooperate with an immigration crackdown.
• ▪The U.S. Travel Association confirmed that Markwayne Mullin stated the administration is considering a withdrawal of CBP officers from international airports in certain sanctuary cities
• ▪Reuters and other media reported in the week of May 19, 2026 that Markwayne Mullin had privately told U.S. travel executives the U.S. Department of Homeland Security could opt to stop customs and immigrations processing of international travelers
• ▪Markwayne Mullin told Fox News Channel's Sean Hannity in an interview broadcast on May 26, 2026 that he had met White House officials but emphasized no decision had been made whether to proceed with the sanctuary city airport processing halt
• ▪Markwayne Mullin first publicly made the threat to halt processing at sanctuary city airports in April 2026 during a dispute over funding for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security

World Cup travel disruption

• ▪Millions of foreign tourists are expected to arrive in the United States for the start of the FIFA World Cup in June 2026
• ▪The FIFA World Cup is scheduled to start in June 2026
• ▪The Trump administration's plan to halt international air travel processing at sanctuary city airports could affect millions of foreign tourists expected for the FIFA World Cup

Travel industry opposition

• ▪More than 50 million international travelers arrived at the three major New York airports in 2025
• ▪The U.S. Travel Association flagged the devastating consequences for the travel industry and communities dependent on international visitors from halting customs processing at sanctuary city airports
• ▪The U.S. Travel Association told Reuters on May 22, 2026 that its representatives had met with Markwayne Mullin
• ▪Airlines for America said reducing customs staffing at major airports would disrupt operations significantly for carriers, travelers and the flow of international cargo

Sanctuary city immigration disputes

• ▪Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection killed two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis in January 2026
• ▪Democrats say reforms are needed to rein in abuses by Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection
• ▪Markwayne Mullin suggested that local radical left Democrats in sanctuary cities are not allowing the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to enforce federal immigration laws

Perspective of U.S. Travel Association and Airlines for America

• ▪The U.S. Travel Association flagged the devastating consequences for the travel industry and communities dependent on international visitors from halting customs processing at sanctuary city airports
• ▪Airlines for America said reducing customs staffing at major airports would disrupt operations significantly for carriers, travelers and the flow of international cargo

Perspective of Democrats and immigration reform advocates

• ▪Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection killed two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis in January 2026
• ▪Democrats say reforms are needed to rein in abuses by Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection