Trump DHS Warns Sanctuary Cities Could Lose Airport Customs Access

New DHS chief Markwayne Mullin signals major crackdown as blue cities refuse to enforce immigration law.

The Trump administration is escalating its fight against sanctuary cities — and now international airports could be ground zero.

Newly confirmed Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin made waves Monday after suggesting the federal government may reconsider whether sanctuary cities should even be allowed to process international arrivals.

“If they’re a sanctuary city, should they really be processing customs into their city?” Mullin asked during a Fox News interview — a question that could have massive implications for major blue-city airports.

Mullin made it clear the Department of Homeland Security is taking a “hard look” at whether Customs and Border Protection operations should continue as normal in cities that refuse to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement.

The core issue is simple: why should cities benefit from federal border enforcement at their airports if they refuse to enforce immigration law once individuals step outside?

“If they’re receiving international flights, and we’re asking them to partner with us at the airport, but once they walk out, they’re not going to enforce immigration policy — maybe we need to have a really hard look at that,” Mullin said.

The comments signal a potential policy shift that could put sanctuary jurisdictions on notice: cooperate — or lose access to key federal resources.

Mullin also warned that limited funding and political pressure from Democrats may force DHS to prioritize where it deploys its resources — and sanctuary cities may not make the cut.

“We’re going to have to start prioritizing things at some point,” he said, noting ongoing Democrat efforts to slash funding for border enforcement.

At the heart of the debate are sanctuary policies, which block or restrict local cooperation with federal agencies like Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Critics argue those policies create safe havens for illegal immigrants — while still relying on federal systems like airport customs processing.

Mullin didn’t mince words: “I believe sanctuary cities are not lawful.”

The standoff comes as DHS funding battles continue in Washington. While core immigration enforcement agencies remain funded through prior legislation, broader DHS operations have faced disruptions amid Democrat opposition.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has pushed to restore funding, blaming Republicans for airport disruptions — even as the administration points to Democrat demands to weaken ICE and border enforcement as the real source of the conflict.

Meanwhile, Democrats are continuing to push for restrictions on immigration agents — including requiring body cameras and limiting face coverings during enforcement operations — moves critics say would further undermine federal authority.

With the Trump administration signaling it’s ready to play hardball, sanctuary cities could soon face a stark choice: enforce federal law — or risk losing critical access to the nation’s ports of entry.