DHS Secretary Mullin Questions Customs Processing in Cities with International Airports

By Ashleigh Fields

*Published: 2026-04-07*

Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin on Monday raised the possibility of repercussions for cities hosting international airports that do not cooperate with federal immigration enforcement, including potentially losing access to customs processing.

During an appearance on Fox News’s “Special Report,” Mullin, recently confirmed by the Senate as DHS secretary, stated: “If they’re a sanctuary city, should they really be processing customs into — into their city?”

He continued: “Seriously, if they’re a sanctuary city and they’re receiving international flights, and we’re asking them to partner with us at the airport, but once they walk out of the airport, they’re not going to enforce immigration policy? Maybe we need have a really hard look at that, because we need to focus on cities that want to work with us.”

Mullin’s remarks follow actions by his predecessor, Kristi Noem, who as former DHS secretary led immigration enforcement in Democratic-led cities and identified approximately 500 cities, counties, and states as obstructing federal immigration laws, according to administration statements.

Last August, former Attorney General Pam Bondi reportedly sent a letter to 32 jurisdictions described as sanctuary areas, urging compliance with federal immigration law or facing consequences, though the letter’s details remain unverified in public records.

President Trump issued an executive order last year directing a crackdown on localities not cooperating with federal immigration authorities. Similar measures during Trump’s first term, including efforts to withhold funding from sanctuary jurisdictions, faced legal challenges; federal courts blocked several such actions between 2018 and 2020, ruling them as overreach under the 10th Amendment.

Mullin indicated plans to prioritize cooperative cities. “Well, I’m saying we’re going to have to start prioritizing things at some point. Right now, remember, the Democrats are wanting to defund Customs and Border Patrol. Well, who processes those individuals when they walk off the plane? And so I’m going to have to be forced to make hard decisions. Who is willing to work with us and partner with us?” he said.

He added: “Once again, I’m not going outside the policies that Congress passed for me. And we’re not trying to pass those … but we’re saying that you’ve got to partner with us.”

Such changes could affect major airports in cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago, which have adopted sanctuary policies limiting local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. Industry groups, including the Airports Council International-North America, have warned that redirecting customs processing could disrupt international travel, increase costs for passengers and airlines, and harm local economies reliant on aviation hubs.

Mullin said he discussed plans with Trump after his confirmation to address the ongoing partial government shutdown.

The Senate recently passed a DHS funding bill unanimously with all 100 senators’ support, including Republicans, but it excluded funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP). House Republicans rejected the measure and proposed fully funding DHS instead.

Mullin explained the disagreement to anchor Bret Baier: “What it is, is there is a problem with what the Senate has proposed. And it’s a fundamental issue that is very difficult for some Republicans to get past. It’s that the bill that has been proposed out of the Senate that was passed with unanimous consent, it essentially, and I say essentially, defunded ICE and Customs and Border Patrol. But the reason why we made that play call is because we want to do it through reconciliation.”

He added: “The reason why the president and I have spoke literally for over five hours in the Oval Office about the best path to do this with is because September 30th is when the fiscal year ends again. We are afraid that the Democrats will try to hold the country hostage again and shut us down.”

Mullin continued: “And so if we can take Customs and Border Patrol off the table and put it through reconciliation, fund it for three years, then we don’t have to worry about the Democrats playing this political theater.”

Democrats and sanctuary city officials have not immediately responded to Mullin’s comments. Critics of sanctuary policies argue they undermine federal law, while supporters contend local resources should focus on serious crimes rather than federal civil immigration matters.

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