Airlines, hotels warn against Trump admin threat to international flights to ‘sanctuary cities’

Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said in an interview on Fox News’ “Hannity” on Tuesday night that if “radical left Democrats” aren’t allowing the government to “enforce federal laws… we shouldn’t be processing international flights into their cities either.”

The secretary’s comments came just ahead of the FIFA Men’s World Cup next month that is expected to bring millions of visitors to host cities in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, drawing alarm from the travel industry.

Mullin said the Trump administration is “drawing up plans” but isn’t putting anything into place yet. The timing of the idea being floated raises questions about whether the administration is using its leverage to try to persuade cities whose immigration policies it disagrees with to be less lenient with undocumented immigrants.

The feud over immigration could cripple international flights into the U.S. The Justice Department last August published a list of states and cities it said are impeding U.S. immigration policies, which include major international air hubs New York, Newark, New Jersey, Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle and Philadelphia.

“Reducing [Customs and Border Protection] 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,” said Airlines for America, a trade association whose members include American Airlines, United Airlines and Delta Air Lines.

The U.S. Travel Association, whose members include airlines and major hotel chains like Hilton and Marriott, said Mullin confirmed in a meeting with the group that the administration is considering withdrawing CPB officers. The group also said it would have “devastating consequences for the travel industry and communities that depend on international visitation.”