US travel sector warns CBP airport pullback could hit international flights

The American travel sector is raising alarms after Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin again floated the possibility of taking US Customs and Border Protection officers out of airports in so-called sanctuary cities, a step industry leaders say could put overseas flights at risk.

The US Travel Association said Mullin confirmed during a meeting that he is weighing the removal of CBP personnel. The group had been using the discussion to object to other Trump administration proposals it believes could slow or discourage travel.

US Travel and leading airlines swiftly pushed back against the suggestion. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy also distanced himself from the idea, saying it did not appear sensible to him.

"US Travel believes such a move would have devastating consequences for the travel industry and communities that depend on international visitation," the organisation said Friday. The Atlantic was the first to report details from the meeting.

Speaking at a Congressional hearing earlier in the week, Duffy said he was unaware of Mullin's comments and wanted to better understand the circumstances, adding that he might ask Mullin what he intended. Duffy said limiting air access over political disagreement would be a mistake, noting that Democrats will eventually control government again and "you will all switch spots at one point — hopefully not too soon Mr. Chairman".

"We have people from around the world and around the country that need to be able to fly into all different kinds of places. We shouldn't shut down air travel in a state that doesn't agree with our politics," Duffy said.

The level of backing for the proposal inside the administration remains uncertain. President Donald Trump has, however, previously threatened to deny funding to sanctuary cities.

There is no single legal definition for sanctuary cities or sanctuary policies. The labels are generally used for jurisdictions that limit cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Courts have already rejected attempts to strip such places of funding.

During Trump's first term, in 2017, judges blocked his administration's effort to cut money to those cities.

It is also unclear which airports or cities Mullin may have in mind. Last year, the Justice Department released a list naming about three dozen states, cities and counties it classified as sanctuary jurisdictions.

Airlines for America, the trade organisation for major carriers, warned that the proposal would damage the economy and interfere with travel.

"Reducing CBP staffing at major airports would have a devastating effect on the airline and tourism industries, causing a significant operational disruption to carriers, travellers and the flow of international cargo."