Trump DHS To Halt International Flights?

Markwayne Mullin said Tuesday that federal officials are considering plans that could halt the processing of international flights in certain “sanctuary cities,” escalating tensions over immigration enforcement policies in Democratic-led areas.

Speaking during an appearance on Fox News, Mullin pointed to recent protests outside the Delaney Hall immigration detention facility in Newark, New Jersey, as an example of local resistance interfering with federal immigration operations.

The protests intensified over the weekend after Sen. Andy Kim was reportedly pepper-sprayed during a confrontation involving immigration agents near the facility.

Mullin argued that if local officials refuse to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement, there should be consequences tied to how immigration processing is handled at nearby airports.

According to the Homeland Security secretary, discussions are underway about potentially stopping the processing of international arrivals in cities where, he claimed, local leaders are obstructing federal authorities from carrying out immigration laws.

He questioned why cities that oppose certain immigration enforcement actions should continue benefiting from federal immigration processing at their airports.

The remarks immediately triggered criticism from immigration experts and former government officials, who warned that any effort to suspend international flight processing could severely disrupt air travel nationwide.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents are responsible for screening international travelers entering the country and verifying that foreign visitors possess valid documentation such as visas, work permits, or permanent residency authorization.

Critics argued that eliminating international processing at major airports would not stop immigration but instead create logistical and economic problems for airlines, travelers, and local economies.

Former Department of Homeland Security official Juliette Kayyem criticized the proposal on social media, saying such a move could lead to widespread flight cancellations and travel disruptions without meaningfully affecting immigration policy.

Meanwhile, American Immigration Council senior fellow Aaron Reichlin-Melnick called the idea unrealistic, warning that airlines cannot simply reroute large volumes of international flights to other airports on short notice.

Experts also noted that many airports serve as critical international hubs for both business and tourism, meaning any interruption to customs processing could ripple far beyond the cities being targeted.

Although Mullin said no action has officially been launched yet, his comments signaled that the administration is exploring more aggressive strategies in its ongoing battle with sanctuary jurisdictions over immigration enforcement.