‘There should be consequences’ GOP backs DHS push against sanctuary cities despite ICE opposition
WASHINGTON, DC: GOP Senators have come forward to support the Department of Homeland Security plan to crackdown of sanctuary cities for not cooperating with Federal immigration authorities.
Republicans’ decision to impose consequential measures on sanctuary cities after Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin floated a proposal to pull Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers from airports in jurisdictions that refuse to cooperate with federal immigration authorities.
GOP Senator says Sanctuary cities should pay the price
"I think there should be consequences to cities and states that undercut federal law," Sen Lindsey Graham, R-SC, told Fox News Digital. "I think they should pay a price for what they do. I agree with what he’s doing."
The remark comes in line with Mullin's proposed punitive measures against Sanctuary cities for limiting or denying cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and disputes over immigration enforcement funding.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy also expressed opposition to the idea, emphasizing the need for open travel.
But Mullin still says the idea is on the table and actively being considered.
"I think it’s a choice that those cities make and they’d have to weigh the consequences of it," Sen Deb Fischer, R-Neb, said. "If they want to be a sanctuary city, they’ve made that choice and they’re getting a response now from Homeland Security."
"I don't know about this," Sen Josh Hawley said. "Somebody else asked me about that, and I hadn’t seen that from him yet. So I don't know. I don’t know what to make of that."
Proposal would suspend international travel
The adoption of the proposal will result in the suspension of international flights from blue cities, as pulling out customs agents from airports will hinder passengers and cargo from moving beyond the border, along with impacting the return of Americans travelling overseas.
The plan has faced mounting backlash from Democrats.
Mullin was grilled last week during a Senate hearing about these threats to pull officers from major city airports, where Democrats referred to the idea as "outrageous" and "insane," citing the likelihood of chaos and devastating impacts to the economy as a result of the projected high travel rates that would be effectively killed throughout the upcoming summer months.
Fischer was also asked whether the proposal, if implemented, would change how sanctuary cities communicate and cooperate with ICE.
