NewsNBC Miami PoliticsMay 24, 2026Miami-Dade County
Trump Administration Considers Withdrawing Customs Officers from Sanctuary City Airports
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin has reiterated a potential plan to remove U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers from airports located in sanctuary jurisdictions. The travel industry and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy have expressed opposition to the proposal, citing potential disruptions to international travel and commerce.
Read the full story at NBC Miami PoliticsWhy It Matters
If implemented, the withdrawal of federal customs officers would effectively halt international flights at affected airports, impacting travelers, airline operations, and local economies that rely on international tourism.
Key Facts
- Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin is considering withdrawing CBP officers from airports in sanctuary cities.
- The withdrawal of CBP officers would prevent international flights from operating at those airports.
- Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy publicly stated that restricting air travel based on political views is a 'bad idea'.
- The U.S. Travel Association and Airlines for America have formally condemned the proposal.
- The Justice Department previously identified three dozen states, cities, and counties as sanctuary jurisdictions.
- Federal courts previously blocked similar efforts by the Trump administration to cut funding to sanctuary cities in 2017.
- There is no strict legal definition for 'sanctuary cities', but the term generally refers to jurisdictions with limited cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).