Mullin threatens to shut down international flights to sanctuary cities after New Jersey protests

WASHINGTON, DC: Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin signaled on Tuesday, May 26, that the Trump administration is considering a dramatic escalation against sanctuary cities, revealing that officials are drafting plans that could halt international flight processing at airports in jurisdictions accused of obstructing federal immigration enforcement.

The proposal, which Mullin linked directly to protests and resistance against immigration authorities, could create massive disruptions at some of the country’s busiest travel hubs if implemented.

“We’re currently drawing up plans,” Mullin said during an appearance on Fox News, warning that cities refusing to cooperate with immigration enforcement should not expect the federal government to continue processing international arrivals at their airports.

Markwayne Mullin threatens consequences for sanctuary jurisdictions

The homeland security chief highlighted the potential crackdown as retaliation against what he described as local governments interfering with federal immigration operations.

Speaking about recent demonstrations outside an immigration detention facility in New Jersey, Mullin accused left-leaning city leaders of making it difficult for federal personnel to do their jobs.

“They’re barricading our employees from coming in and out of the facility,” Mullin said. He then raised the possibility of using airport operations as leverage against sanctuary cities.

“Then why are we processing international flights into the airport there?” he asked.

“And we are currently, which we’re not initiating yet, but we’re currently drawing up plans to say, listen, these sanctuary cities where the local radical-left Democrats aren’t allowing us to do our jobs and enforce federal laws, then we shouldn’t be processing international flights into their cities either,” he added.

Mullin argued that the current situation creates a contradiction in which cities oppose immigration enforcement while simultaneously relying on federal immigration screening systems at airports.

Protests spark proposal

Mullin’s comments came after tensions flared outside Delaney Hall in Newark, New Jersey, where demonstrators gathered over the weekend to protest immigration detention operations.

During the unrest, New Jersey Senator Andy Kim reportedly became involved in a confrontation with immigration agents and was pepper-sprayed during the incident.

The protests appear to have intensified administration frustration with sanctuary jurisdictions and Democratic officials who have resisted cooperation with federal immigration crackdowns.

Mullin repeatedly pointed to those confrontations while justifying why the administration is exploring tougher responses.

If enacted, the proposal could have sweeping consequences for airports that depend heavily on international arrivals and Customs processing.

Customs and Border Protection officers are responsible for screening travelers entering the country, including tourists, visa holders, foreign workers, and permanent residents.

Without federal Customs processing, international arrivals into affected cities could become impossible, forcing airlines to reroute or cancel flights entirely.