TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Trump administration is "drawing up plans" to halt immigration and customs processing at so-called "sanctuary cities," US Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin has said.
The cities, which are all run by Democrats, have refused to work with the White House in its crackdown on irregular immigration.
The plans would essentially halt all international passenger and cargo arrivals at major airports in Democrat-run states.
Millions of foreign tourists are expected to travel to the US for the FIFA World Cup, which starts in June.
What did Markwayne Mullin say about the plans for 'sanctuary cities'?
In an interview broadcast on Fox News' The Sean Hannity Show on Tuesday, Mullin said "we're currently drawing up plans" but added that no decision had been made about whether to proceed.
The Homeland Security secretary, who took over from Kristi Noem after she was removed from the position in March, insisted that US authorities "shouldn't be processing international flights into" so-called sanctuary cities.
Mullin said, "local radical left Democrats aren't allowing us to do our job and enforce federal laws."
What are so-called 'sanctuary cities'?
The Trump administration has sent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to several Democrat-run cities as part of its clampdown on irregular immigration and mass deportation drive. The White House has also deployed federal National Guard troops to some cities, including Los Angeles and Washington, DC.
While there is no fixed definition of a "sanctuary city," the US Justice Department published a list in August 2025 of cities and states that it claims "impede enforcement of federal immigration laws." The vast majority are run by Democrats.
Some of the largest cities included on the list are Boston, Denver, Philadelphia, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City, Newark, Seattle and San Francisco.
The Trump administration's hard-line immigration crackdown has been met with fierce opposition in many of those cities. In Minnesota, two US citizens were shot dead during altercations with agents from ICE and Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
Democrats in Congress withheld funding for the Department of Homeland Security in protest over ICE and what they saw as excessive immigration enforcement policies. The standoff led to the department's shutdown until President Donald Trump signed a funding bill in late April.
How has the travel industry reacted to the Trump administration's plans?
Mullin's threats to pull immigration officers from certain US international airports, first reported in US media last week, have alarmed the travel industry.
The US Travel Association and major airlines have condemned the plans. In a statement on Friday, the group said it "believes such a move would have devastating consequences for the travel industry and communities that depend on international visitation."
In a separate statement, the Airlines for America trade group said: "Reducing CBP staffing at major airports would have a devastating effect on the airline and tourism industries, causing a significant operational disruption to carriers, travelers and the flow of international cargo."
Opposition to the plans has also come from within the Trump administration. Transport Secretary Sean Duffy told a Congressional hearing last week that it would be "a bad idea to start restricting travel based on political views."
"We have people from around the world and around the country that need to be able to fly into all different kinds of places. We shouldn't shut down air travel in a state that doesn't agree with our politics," Duffy said.
Read: North Korea Tests New Missile Launch System, Says Report
Fact Check: Is Indonesia Barring Palestinians From Entering the Country?
5 hari lalu
The Ministry of Immigration and Corrections has never issued the document that has been circulated publicly.
Golden Visa Draws Rp52.1 Trillion, Says Immigration DG
5 hari lalu
The Immigration Director-General stated that the Golden Visa program has contributed significantly to the Indonesian economy.
UK Far-Right Group Stages Anti-Immigration Protest in London
10 hari lalu
Tens of thousands of protesters joined the latest rally staged by far-right activist Tommy Robinson in London on Saturday.
FIFA World Cup: US Drops Bond Requirement for Ticket Holders
13 hari lalu
Fans from five African World Cup qualifiers with valid tickets are exempt from a large bond, while others still face barriers to entering the U.S.
Immigration Uncovers Trading Scam in Batam, 210 Foreigners Nabbed
18 hari lalu
The Immigration DG detained 210 foreign nationals in Batam for alleged online investment fraud targeting victims in Europe and Vietnam.
Illegal Hajj Risks: Saudi Arabia Issues 10-Year Entry Ban
24 hari lalu
Risks of legal consequences for performing hajj without a hajj visa. What are they?
Migrant Workers Contribute Rp433 Trillion to Indonesia's Forex in 2025
27 hari lalu
Throughout 2025, Indonesian migrant workers contributed around Rp430-433 trillion in foreign exchange.
US Appeals Court Rejects Trump's Immigration Detention Policy
28 hari lalu
The court of appeals rejects the mandatory detention policy for immigrants imposed by the Trump administration, stating that it is not in accordance with the existing rules.
Germany's Birth Rate Reached Lowest Level on Record in 2025
28 hari lalu
As the number of women of childbearing age declines in Germany, birth rates are projected to continue falling.
Vietnam Mandates Digital Arrival Cards for Travelers
33 hari lalu
Effective April 15, 2026, Vietnam requires foreign travelers to complete a digital arrival declaration.
