Travel industry worries after Trump administration reiterates threat to sanctuary city airports

Travel industry on edge after Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin repeated threat of withdrawal U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at airports in so-called “sanctuary cities” took action that could endanger international flights.

The U.S. Travel Association said Mullin confirmed he was considering withdrawing CPB officials at a meeting where the trade group raised concerns about other proposals the Trump administration thinks could hinder travel. US Travel and major airlines quickly condemned the idea, and even Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said it didn’t make sense to him.

“US Travel believes such a move would have devastating consequences for the travel industry and the communities that depend on international visitation,” the industry group said in a statement Friday. he said.

Details of the meeting were first reported by The Atlantic.

Duffy said at a Congressional hearing earlier this week that he wasn’t familiar with Mullin’s remarks and wanted to learn more about the context and perhaps ask Mullin a question about what he meant. But Duffy said it would be a bad idea to start restricting travel based on political views. After all, at some point Democrats will be in charge, and “You’re all going to be replaced at some point — hopefully not too soon, Mr. President,” Duffy said.

“We have people from around the world and around the country who need to be able to fly to different places. We shouldn’t be shutting down air travel in a state that doesn’t align with our policies,” Duffy said.

So it’s unclear how much support the idea has in the administration, although President Donald Trump has previously supported it. threatened to keep funding from holy cities.

There is no precise definition sanctuary policies or sanctuary citieshowever, the terms generally describe limited cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. And courts have rejected the idea of ​​taking funds away from them in the past.

During Trump’s first term in office in 2017, the courts collapsed effort to cut funding to cities.

It’s unclear exactly which cities and airports Mullin might target, but the Justice Department released a report last year. three dozen lists states, cities, and counties that he considered sacred jurisdictions.

Trade group Airlines for America was quick to say the idea would hurt the economy and disrupt travel.

“Reducing CBP staff at major airports would have a devastating impact on the airline and tourism industries and cause significant operational disruption to the flow of carriers, passengers and international cargo.”