Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin warned sanctuary cities run by Democrats that their refusal to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement could lead DHS to reconsider customs processing at their international airports. In an interview with Fox News’ Bret Baier, Mullin highlighted a key issue: cities that depend on federal enforcement when international flights arrive but then refuse to assist once those travelers enter the country.
? BOOM: DHS Sec. Markwayne Mullin drops the hammer on sanctuary cities, they could lose CBP customs processing at airports until they start complying with federal immigration law. pic.twitter.com/oWmxst0fsZ
— Gunther Eagleman™ (@GuntherEagleman) April 6, 2026
“I believe sanctuary cities is not lawful. I don’t think they’re able to do that. And so we’re going to take a hard look at this.
This one area we may take a hard look at is some of these cities have international airports. If they’re sanctuary cities, should they really be processing customs into their city?
Seriously, if they’re a sanctuary city and they’re receiving international flights, and we’re asking them to partner with us at the airport, but once they walk out of the airport, they’re not going to enforce immigration policy, maybe we need to have a really hard look at that, because we need to focus on cities that want to work with us.”
Baier asked whether large sanctuary cities are in danger of losing their Customs support at their airports:
“I’m saying we’re going to have to start prioritizing things at some point. Right now, remember, the Democrats are wanting to defund Customs and Border Patrol. Well, who processes those individuals and walk off the plane? So, I’m going to have to be forced to make hard decisions. Who’s willing to work with us and partner with us?”
Democrat-run sanctuary cities seek federal enforcement at airports when planes land and travelers go through customs. However, once these individuals step outside the airport, these cities refuse to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement. You can’t have it both ways.
Mullin is considering making cities choose between these two positions. If a city benefits from federal enforcement at the airport, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is now questioning whether that city should continue receiving full federal support if it declines to cooperate once travelers enter the city.
Mullin directly linked this issue to the funding debate. In a full interview, he stated that DHS is facing pressure while still required to enforce the laws passed by Congress.
“As secretary, Brett, I don’t get to pick and choose which policies I enforce. I enforce all the policies that Congress put on my plate… we’re a nation of laws, so we simply enforce laws.”
“…we’re a nation of laws” – except when and where Democrats are in charge.\
If the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) proceeds with its plans, the consequences will be evident quickly. Customs processing relies on federal officers, and major international airports are dependent on their staffing. A reduction in the number of officers or a lower priority given to their work could lead to longer wait times, slower processing, and possible rerouting of passengers. Leaders in cities that have built their political identities around opposing immigration enforcement would feel that pressure immediately.
Will that pressure be enough to make them drop their insane left-wing mindset against enforcing immigration laws? Guess we’ll see.
