DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullins Warns Sanctuary Cities: Cooperate on Immigration or Risk Losing International Airport Status

WASHINGTON – In his first major interview since confirmation, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullins signaled that the Trump administration is prepared to strip sanctuary cities of their ability to process international flights if they continue refusing to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement.

Appearing on Fox News’ “Special Report with Bret Baier” on April 6, 2026, Mullins directly questioned the legality and practicality of sanctuary policies at major airports. “I believe sanctuary cities is not lawful,” Mullins said. “If they’re sanctuary cities, should they really be processing Customs into their city?”

He added: “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 gonna 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.”

Mullins’ comments come amid the ongoing partial DHS shutdown, now in its seventh week, which began February 14 after Democrats blocked full funding unless it included major restrictions on ICE operations. The administration has refused any deal that leaves ICE unfunded, insisting border security must be prioritized.

The practical effect of removing CBP officers from international airports in sanctuary cities would be severe: those airports would lose the ability to handle international arrivals and departures, effectively ending their status as international gateways. Cities such as New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and San Francisco could see significant economic impacts from reduced global connectivity.

Mullins emphasized that the administration is being forced to make tough prioritization decisions because of resource constraints and non-cooperation from certain localities. “We’re gonna have to start prioritizing things at some point,” he said, noting that Democrats’ push to defund or reform CBP and ICE has left the department with limited options.

The remarks represent the strongest public warning yet from the Trump administration that sanctuary policies will carry real consequences. Several major sanctuary cities have already restricted local law enforcement cooperation with ICE, creating friction at airports where federal and local authorities must work together on customs and immigration processing.

No immediate reaction from the affected cities was available, but the comments are expected to intensify the standoff between the administration and Democrat-led jurisdictions over immigration enforcement. The partial shutdown continues as Congress remains deadlocked on full-year DHS funding that includes robust ICE operations.

Mullins’ interview underscores the administration’s determination to enforce federal immigration law even as it navigates the funding impasse with Congress.