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The new Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin has suggested the possibility of restricting customs and immigration services at airports in sanctuary cities.
Mullin told Fox News during his first interview as DHS secretary on Monday that the department will be investigating customs enforcement operations at certain major international airports. Airports that could be investigated include the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and the John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).
"If they're a sanctuary city, should they really be processing customs into their city?" said Mullin. "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 to have a really hard look at that."
These airports can process millions of international travellers per year. In June, some are expected to host tens of thousands of arrivals for the FIFA soccer World Cup, according to PYOK. Those who oppose the move have cited concerns that the move undermines the economy and massively disrupts air travel. Removing Customs and Border Protection officers would prevent any international flight from landing at these airports.
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A total of 12 states, 18 cities, 3 counties and the District of Columbia were recognized as sanctuary jurisdictions by the U.S. Government in August 2025, according to the Independent. These jurisdictions are places that that limits cooperation with federal immigration authorities (ICE) regarding the detention or reporting of undocumented immigrants, according to the Department of Justice, though there is no official legal definition.