The Trump administration's Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin suggested that if cities do not enforce federal immigration laws, international flights into those cities could be halted. This statement comes just before the FIFA Men's World Cup, which is expected to attract millions of visitors to U.S. cities.
Major airline and hotel industry representatives, including Airlines for America and the U.S. Travel Association, have expressed alarm, stating that reducing Customs and Border Protection staffing at key airports would disrupt operations and negatively impact tourism and cargo flow.
The Justice Department previously identified several major airports in 'sanctuary cities' that could be affected, including New York, Chicago, and San Francisco.
The timing of these comments suggests a strategic move by the administration to influence local immigration policies, which could have far-reaching effects on the airline and travel sectors as they prepare for increased international traffic