As the United States prepares to welcome millions of visitors for the FIFA World Cup, the Trump administration is drawing up plans that could effectively block international flights to airports serving so-called “sanctuary cities”.
This comes at a time when the US tourism industry is experiencing a decline in international visitor numbers. Critics and some travel analysts attribute this to stricter immigration policies and rhetoric, as well as global perceptions, coining the term “Trump Slump”, while the administration has pointed to broader global economic factors.
US Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin told Fox News host Sean Hannity that the administration was considering halting customs and immigration processing at airports in cities that refuse to cooperate with the federal immigration crackdown.
“We’re not initiating yet – but we’re currently drawing up plans,” Mullin said.
Markwayne Mullin: "If CBP isn't there processing international flights, then those individuals when the airlines land won't be permitted into the United States. If things don't change, we're gonna have to make this step pretty quick." pic.twitter.com/flcAGL2TVG
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) May 28, 2026
Referring to sanctuary cities, he accused local officials of preventing federal immigration enforcement. “They’re barricading our employees from coming in and out of the facility. Why are we processing international flights into the airport there?” he added.
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is responsible for screening travellers entering the US and checking their passports, visas, and other documents. Without CBP processing, international flights would effectively be unable to operate.
According to reports, potentially affected cities include major international gateways such as Boston, Denver, Philadelphia, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City, Newark, Seattle and San Francisco. New York/Newark, Los Angeles (LAX) and Chicago alone handled over 50 million international arrivals last year. Industry representatives have warned of serious consequences for the tourism sector if customs and immigration processing were to be suspended.
Mullin first raised the possibility of suspending international flight processing in April amid a dispute over funding for his department and growing criticism from Democrats over ICE operations and detention conditions.
His latest comments came after several days of tension surrounding the Delaney Hall Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention centre in Newark, New Jersey, where detainees have reportedly been on hunger strike and refusing to work, demanding better conditions, access to medical care, and progress in their immigration cases.
Protesters clashed with ICE agents outside the Delaney Hall immigration detention facility in Newark, New Jersey, as demonstrations entered their seventh consecutive day.
— APT News (@APT__News) June 1, 2026
Video from the scene showed federal agents pushing back demonstrators who attempted to block vehicles… pic.twitter.com/3rrFj5em2T
“The food conditions are horrible. We feel that they’re not getting medical services. They’re overcrowded and denied their fundamental rights,” said Adriano Espaillat, a congressman from New York. “We will continue to fight to shut this place down.”
The DHS has strongly denied allegations of poor conditions at Delaney Hall, dismissing them as political posturing. Mullin has rejected criticism from Democratic politicians, accusing them of “spreading smears” about ICE, and arguing that local authorities are preventing federal officers from enforcing immigration laws.
The proposal has triggered a backlash from lawmakers and the travel industry, who have warned of serious economic and operational consequences ahead of one of the world’s largest sporting events.
Mullin continues exposing this administration's petty and vindictive nature. He’d rather cause chaos at our airports and disrupt our economy ahead of the World Cup than take accountability for ICE’s recklessness.
— Rep. LaMonica McIver (@RepLaMonica) May 27, 2026
When we speak up, they seek to punish us. But we won’t back down. https://t.co/IGJDMR1MXZ
“Mullin continues to expose this administration’s petty and vindictive nature. He’d rather cause chaos at our airports and disrupt our economy ahead of the World Cup than take accountability for ICE’s recklessness,” wrote New Jersey Rep. LaMonica McIver on X.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy also opposed Mullin’s idea during a House Budget Committee hearing last week, stressing that access to air travel should not depend on political disagreements.
“People from around the world and around the country need to be able to fly into all kinds of places,” he said. “We shouldn’t shut down air travel in a state that doesn’t agree with our politics.”
