Trump wants to ban international flights from sanctuary cities

[dalton99a]

https://www.newsweek.com/major-airports-dhs-markwayne-mullin-international-flights-customs-map-11979734

Major US Airports Could Lose International Flights Under New Plan:
May 21, 2026 at 04:34 PM EDT

A proposal under consideration by Department of Homeland Security (DHS) leadership could disrupt air travel at some of the busiest airports in the United States, raising the possibility that key international hubs would be unable to accept overseas flights.

The plan, floated by DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin, centers on whether the federal government should continue providing customs processing at airports in so-called “sanctuary” jurisdictions—cities and states that limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. Without those services, airports would effectively lose their ability to function as international gateways.

Mullin recently met with airline and travel-industry executives at DHS headquarters and raised the possibility of scaling back Customs and Border Protection (CBP) staffing at major international hubs in sanctuary jurisdictions, The Atlantic reported. Mullin’s remarks built on comments he made in his first days as DHS secretary in March, when he floated the idea during a Fox News interview. At the time, he questioned whether sanctuary jurisdictions with major airports should continue to receive federal customs services. While framed then as a possibility, his more recent comments suggest the idea is being taken more seriously as a potential pressure point in the administration’s immigration strategy.

CBP, a DHS agency, is responsible for inspecting all passengers arriving from abroad. If agents were withdrawn from major airports fielding international passengers, airlines would no longer be able to legally land international flights at affected airports, forcing widespread rerouting or cancellations.

...

[yardwork]

1. That will annoy a lot of wealthy Trump voters.

I predict this won't happen for that reason. The Trumpster world travelers like their direct flights to Europe.

[rampartd]

2. everyone trump cares about has their own aircraft.

[yardwork]

6. I get that but a lot of Republicans want to be reelected.

[MichMan]

19. Still have to go through customs

[odins folly]

21. That is what he is discussing

Removing Customs and Boarder Patrol, no customs means you cannot land with international passengers on board.

[MichMan]

26. Just pointing out that private jets still have to comply with customs

[odins folly]

35. I agree

But if CBP is not at an airport, I don’t think the plane is authorized to land if originating in a foreign country.

Obviously a private airport could have a different setup and requirements

[pfitz59]

3. The 'plumber' clogging the pipes.

Knew he'd be a total POS in the role. Worthles, Trump-sucking cultist.

[dalton99a]

4. +1. Blanche is worse than Bondi. Mullin is worse than Noem. There is a pattern.

[Cha]

49. And, Bondi & Noem were Horrible. nt

[marble falls]

5. It'll never happen. He can't have a war AND fuck up the airlines at the same time.

[SheltieLover]

7. Trying to figure out how this would work...

So they want large airliners landing in farmers' fields in red hellholes?

[marble falls]

8. This is the problem with having power in the hands of a jerk who's never flown more internationally than Cancun.

[SheltieLover]

10. One of many problems, MF.

Pootin wants US cities, centers of commerce, destroyed & kraznov et. Al are doing their best to comply.

[ITAL]

11. Nah, probably not

But it'd turn DFW, Houston, etc into the only international hubs. People from all over the country would likely have to travel there to go through customs...so they could then fly to France or wherever.

[odins folly]

22. Customs is for when you arrive in the US

Last edited Sat May 23, 2026, 02:58 PM - Edit history (2)

Although your premise is correct to a point; everyone from an overseas country would need to land at DFW and then take a connecting flight to their destination in the CONUS

[Celerity]

43. You go through customs when you enter, not leave.

[odins folly]

46. You're right

I messed up context, thank you

[Celerity]

47. all good

[mwooldri]

28. Probably would be easier to fly into YYZ

And then take a bus or train to Buffalo and catch a domestic flight from there TBH.

[MichMan]

42. They want to cities to rescind any sanctuary policies

[SheltieLover]

45. Not going to happen imo, but time will tell.

[ananda]

16. LOL. You don't give Trump much fuckup credit.

[LakeVermilion]

9. For sure, he doesn't think all of this...

by himself. He’s the puppet.

[bucolic_frolic]

12. Yes let's disregulate the whole international air transport logistics system to suit Trump's animus. /nt

[Hope22]

13. Big problem with T is that he hates more than half of us...possibly all...

And spends his time trying to *#ck our lives up daily! Unhappy Prune!

[BattleRow]

40. Prunes have a laxative effect..explains a lot.

[ColoringFool]

14. DO IT! DO IT! LOSE MORE VOTES, YOU DUMB MFERS!

[Initech]

30. Oh that'll be sure to piss off cruisers, airlines and wealthy tourists.

Fuck him and his bullshit threats. He's the threat!

[Turbineguy]

15. It's a great way to harm the country!

These guys are geniuses.

Public enemy number.... What ever happened to that list?

[sinkingfeeling]

17. He will be banning 60 to 70% of international travel.

[FalloutShelter]

31. Why does anyone need a passport then?

Am I voting in Paris?
Only the rich will be able to afford international travel.

[BattleRow]

41. Arent passports recognized as ID for U.S voting?

[GreenWave]

18. The megalomaniac madman strikes again.

[MLWR]

20. And what do the airlines say about this?

I bet their CEOs voted for the malignant narcissist.

[Cha]

50. That's one of my questions... Wouldn't

the Airlines be Losing a hellava Lot of money?!

[twodogsbarking]

23. Trump may completely fuck up the Republican Party forever. Many other posters have eluded to this.

[Mblaze]

24. FIFA matches are going to be held in "sanctuary cities".

Trump really wants to starve the World Cup. Further pariah-hood is facing the US.

Trump ruins everything.

[slightlv]

25. Well, this will screw up the economy even more, so he must be very pleased with himself.

Putin is probably giving him pats on the backside for being such a good boy in following directions to kill the U.S. economy. We've more or less killed off travel to and from Canada, and the money they used to spend in the (mostly) northern tier of states. And I'm sure Florida has felt some effects to their resort economy.

I'm still saying that wall he's building will be more to keep us IN than to keep others OUT. At the point, I sure hope even the worst of the magas realize they're living under a dictatorship.

[Initech]

27. Fucking enough!!!!

Fuck Trump and his fucking bullshit Fox approved threats. They need to go.

[Johonny]

29. Sounds like a GDP shrinking strategy

Trump, the America last president. Hoover had better economic ideas.

[dalton99a]

33. .

[Cha]

51. Wow, Prof didn't mince words! nt

[karynnj]

32. Where does Mullin think international flights should go to and from?

Maybe he should speak to the Republican congressmen from NY, NJ, CT, IL, MI, Wi who likely use a NYC area or Chicago area airport. Does he really want to lose all the CA, OR, and WA congressmen as well?

Especially for travel to Europe, a NYC area person would have to go considerably out of their way to fly from places South or West that are longer total flying. Great idea when fuel is scarce!

For me, if I was to travel internationally, this makes driving to Montreal my best option - even with the border crossing and the drive from Burlington.

[RockCreek]

38. Direct train to Montreal from NYC, an excellent international hub :)

Seattle and Portland to Vancouver.

And extra business flowing to Canada!

[Martin68]

34. LOL, good luck with that. What a clueless putz.

[J_William_Ryan]

36. There's no such thing as a sanctuary city.

Another example of the stupidity of the racism, bigotry, and hate of the Trump regime.

[MichMan]

39. Mayor Mamdani says there is in NYC

https://www.nyc.gov/mayors-office/news/2026/02/at-annual-interfaith-breakfast--mayor-mamdani-reaffirms-city-s-s

[poli-junkie]

37. The weaponization of airports has begun.

This is just the beginning. Wait’ll they control the movements of girls and women using the airports.

[lame54]

44. California's tourist business is still strong...

Trump must put a stop to that

[sakabatou]

48. So he wants to turn the US into North Korea

[Cha]

53. Not like he hasn't made it

obvious how much he admires Kim Jong Un.

[Lovie777]

52. The United States of America......

is the capital of lawsuits, complaint, and bullshit.

This country is run by psychopaths that includes no moral standards and dumb as hell.