Trending Now - Travel Sector on Edge Over Sanctuary City Airport Threats

WHO:

ABC News - Markwayne Mullin, Homeland Security Secretary

ABC News - Sean Duffy, Transportation Secretary

ABC News - U.S. Travel Association

ABC News - Airlines for America trade group

AP News - Markwayne Mullin, Homeland Security Secretary

AP News - Sean Duffy, Transportation Secretary

AP News - U.S. Travel Association

AP News - Airlines for America trade group

WHAT:

ABC News - Mullin reiterated the threat to withdraw U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers from airports in sanctuary cities.

ABC News - The U.S. Travel Association condemned the idea of withdrawing CBP officers, stating it would have "devastating consequences for the travel industry and communities that depend on international visitation."

ABC News - Duffy expressed that restricting travel based on political views "doesn't make sense."

AP News - Mullin confirmed he is considering withdrawing CBP officers during a meeting with the U.S. Travel Association.

AP News - Airlines for America stated that reducing CBP staffing at major airports would cause "significant operational disruption to carriers, travelers and the flow of international cargo."

WHERE:

ABC News - The discussion involves airports in so-called "sanctuary cities."

AP News - The Justice Department published a list of three dozen states, cities, and counties considered sanctuary jurisdictions.

WHEN:

ABC News - In 2017, courts struck down Trump's effort to cut funding to sanctuary cities.

WHY:

ABC News - The potential withdrawal of CBP officers is linked to the Trump administration's proposals that could hamper travel.

AP News - The move is seen as a response to limited cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement by sanctuary cities.

HOW:

ABC News - The U.S. Travel Association and major airlines expressed their concerns during a meeting with Mullin.

(UPDATED May 23, 2026 23:14 UTC)

Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin has reiterated the potential withdrawal of U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers from airports in sanctuary cities, a move that has drawn sharp criticism from the U.S. Travel Association and Airlines for America. The U.S. Travel Association condemned this idea, warning it could have devastating consequences for the travel industry and communities reliant on international visitors, while Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy argued that restricting travel based on political views simply doesn't make sense. During a meeting with the U.S. Travel Association, Mullin confirmed he is considering this withdrawal, which is seen as a response to limited cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement by sanctuary cities.