The travel industry is experiencing heightened anxiety following comments made by Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, who reiterated his intention to possibly withdraw U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers from airports in “sanctuary cities.” This action could potentially jeopardize international flights, leading to significant repercussions for the travel sector.
The U.S. Travel Association reported that Mullin acknowledged the possibility of withdrawing CBP officers during a meeting where the trade group voiced its concerns regarding various proposals from the Trump administration that could impede travel. Both U.S. Travel and major airlines quickly condemned Mullin's suggestion. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy also expressed confusion over the proposal, stating that it does not make sense. “U.S. Travel believes such a move would have devastating consequences for the travel industry and communities that depend on international visitation,” the group stated in a Friday announcement.
Details regarding the meeting and Mullin's comments were first covered by The Atlantic. Earlier in the week, during a Congressional hearing, Duffy mentioned he was unaware of Mullin's remarks and expressed a desire to learn more about their context. He emphasized that restricting travel based on political beliefs is a poor idea, noting the cyclical nature of political power. “We have people from around the world and around the country that need to be able to fly into all different kinds of places. We shouldn’t shut down air travel in a state that doesn’t agree with our politics,” Duffy stated.
Despite Mullin's statements, it remains unclear how much support this proposal has within the administration. However, President Donald Trump has previously threatened to withhold federal funding from sanctuary cities. The term “sanctuary cities” generally refers to jurisdictions that limit cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), though there is no strict definition. Notably, courts have previously rejected efforts to defund these cities, a matter that arose during Trump’s first term in 2017 when courts overturned his attempts to cut financing.
While specifics about which cities and airports Mullin might target have not been disclosed, the Justice Department published a list last year identifying approximately three dozen localities it considers to be sanctuary jurisdictions. The trade group Airlines for America was quick to respond, stating that reducing CBP presence at major airports would severely impact the economy and disrupt air travel. “Reducing CBP staffing at major airports would have a devastating effect on the airline and tourism industries, causing a significant operational disruption to carriers, travelers, and the flow of international cargo,” the group noted.
The implications of withdrawing CBP officers from these airports could ripple through the travel industry, affecting not only airlines but also local economies heavily reliant on international visitors. The ongoing uncertainty surrounding immigration policies, combined with the potential for disruptions in travel, has left stakeholders in the travel industry bracing for challenging times ahead.
