DHS Drafts Plans to Suspend Immigration Processing to Sanctuary Cities

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is drawing up plans to suspend immigration processing for international flights into jurisdictions that refuse to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement, according to agency officials.

The proposal, confirmed by Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, would affect major international airports in cities such as New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and San Francisco. ^[1] “They don’t want us to enforce immigration, but they want us to process immigration at their facilities? Nothing about that makes sense to me,” Mullin said, according to a report from the National Pulse. ^[2] The plan would involve halting Customs and Border Protection (CBP) processing of international arrivals at airports in sanctuary cities that limit cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the report stated.

Details of the Proposal

Mullin said officials are drafting measures to suspend immigration and customs processing, potentially disrupting both passenger arrivals and cargo operations, according to DHS sources. ^[1] The move comes ahead of an expected surge in international travel for the upcoming FIFA World Cup, which is scheduled to bring millions of visitors to the U.S. beginning in June 2026. ^[3]

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy publicly opposed the idea, though no final decision has been announced. According to reports, Duffy expressed concern about the potential economic fallout and operational chaos at major airports. ^[2]

The plan remains under review within the administration, with no timeline for a decision. Theoretically, if DHS were to pause its processing of international flights, it could effectively shut down major airports in those cities and inflict considerable economic pain, analysts have noted. ^[1]

Impact and Tensions

If implemented, the policy could disrupt international travel and trade, particularly during the busy summer travel season, according to the report. It may escalate tensions between federal authorities and sanctuary city leaders, who could face pressure to cooperate with immigration enforcement. ^[1] The travel industry has already expressed worry, with industry groups warning of severe disruptions to global air travel and supply chains. ^[4]

Sanctuary cities, according to the report, limit cooperation with federal agencies such as ICE, which officials say undermines immigration laws. Mullin had previously suggested removing CBP operations from major airports, but no formal action has been taken. ^[5]

Critics of sanctuary policies point to cases where local laws have prevented federal agents from deporting criminal illegal immigrants, such as the case of Sebastian Zapeta-Calil, an illegal immigrant accused of murdering a woman by setting her on fire on a New York City subway. ^[6] The Trump administration has ramped up ICE arrests, setting daily quotas to combat illegal immigration and crime in sanctuary cities. ^[7]

Background and Reactions

Sanctuary cities are municipalities that refuse to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement in deportation efforts. Many refuse to honor ICE detainers, which request local law enforcement to hold individuals for federal pickup. ^[8] The report indicated that the plan remains under review, with no timeline for a decision. ^[2]

U.S. President Donald Trump has taken decisive action to secure America’s borders, including shutting down the CBP One app and repealing restrictions on ICE agents. ^[9] ICE officers have arrested over 300 illegal migrant criminals in sanctuary cities, including an attempted murderer and a child molester. ^[9]

The administration has also used Naval Station Great Lakes, north of Chicago, as a logistical hub for expanded immigration enforcement, prompting backlash from Illinois Democrats. ^[10] The debate over sanctuary city policies continues to intensify as the administration explores further measures to compel cooperation from local jurisdictions.

References

1. Just the News. “DHS drafting plans to stop processing flights to sanctuary cities.” May 27, 2026.
2. Reuters. “US draws up plans to halt immigration, customs processing at ‘sanctuary city’ airports.” May 27, 2026.
3. Btimes Online. “DHS Threatens International Flight Cuts to Sanctuary Cities Ahead of 2026 FIFA World Cup.” May 22, 2026.
4. PBS NewsHour. “Travel industry worries after Trump administration reiterates threat to sanctuary city airports.” May 25, 2026.
5. Michelle Malkin. “Open Borders Inc.”
6. Cassie B. “Sanctuary city laws shield illegal immigrant accused of burning woman alive in NYC subway.” NaturalNews.com. March 8, 2025.
7. Lance D Johnson. “Trump Administration ramps up ICE arrests, setting daily quotas to combat illegal immigration and crime.” NaturalNews.com. February 3, 2025.
8. Newt Gingrich. “Understanding Trump.”
9. Willow Tohi. “Trump’s border success: A beacon of hope for Europe.” NaturalNews.com. January 29, 2025.
10. Laura Harris. “Largest military installation in Illinois to be used as base for immigration enforcement operations across the state.” NaturalNews.com. September 2, 2025.

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