The Donald Trump administration is evaluating a measure that could transform international air traffic in the United States. The government is studying reducing or halting federal operations at airports in cities considered “sanctuary,” that is, those jurisdictions that limit their cooperation with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Service.
The plan was recently discussed in private meetings led by the new secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Markwayne Mullin. According to a report from The Atlantic, Mullin met with airline leaders and tourism industry representatives to warn them about this possibility. The proposal consists of reducing the personnel of the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office at key airports.
This possible reduction of federal agents would prevent normal processing of passengers and cargo from abroad. In practice, an airport without sufficient customs officials cannot receive international flights, which would force airlines to divert or cancel routes. For affected cities, the logistical and economic impact would be immediate.
Which Airports Are in the Government’s Sights?
During the meetings in Washington, specific airports that could suffer the first staff cuts were mentioned. Sources indicate the measure would affect facilities in Oregon and the New York area. Among the names that emerged are Portland International Airport, John F. Kennedy, and Newark Liberty.
Other officials and press reports suggest that the final list could be much broader if the measure is carried out. Cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Philadelphia, and Seattle are also under pressure due to their non-cooperation policies with the White House immigration agenda.
The plan, as discussed privately, would not be implemented immediately. It is estimated that the government would wait for the FIFA World Cup to conclude in July to begin these cuts. The objective is to prevent a global sporting event from suffering air blockages, and then apply pressure on rebellious mayors and governors.
Why Is the Tourism Sector Warning of Devastating Consequences?
The reaction from the travel industry was one of almost immediate rejection. Travel and tourism industry leaders and executives warned about serious economic and logistical consequences if the plan moves forward. Reducing customs agents not only punishes local cities, but disrupts the entire national air network and directly harms commercial airlines.
