Mullin Issues Warning To Cities With International Airports
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin is sending a strong message to sanctuary cities across America: cooperate with federal immigration enforcement—or risk losing critical access to international travel infrastructure.
During a Monday appearance on Fox News, Mullin questioned whether cities that refuse to follow federal immigration laws should continue benefiting from customs processing tied to international airports.
“If a city openly refuses to enforce immigration law, should they really be allowed to process international arrivals?” Mullin asked. “We’re asking for cooperation at the airport—but once individuals leave, those same cities won’t uphold the law. That’s a serious issue.”
Sanctuary Cities Under Pressure
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is now signaling a shift toward prioritizing cities that support border security, immigration enforcement, and federal law—while reconsidering benefits for those that resist.
Mullin’s comments reinforce a broader Trump administration crackdown on sanctuary cities—jurisdictions that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
Under previous DHS leadership, enforcement actions expanded into major Democrat-run cities, identifying hundreds of areas accused of obstructing immigration enforcement.
Former Attorney General Pam Bondi also issued formal warnings to dozens of sanctuary jurisdictions, urging compliance with federal immigration law or face consequences.
President Donald Trump has made immigration enforcement a cornerstone of his agenda, signing executive orders targeting sanctuary policies and strengthening border security nationwide.
“We Will Prioritize Law-Abiding Cities”
Mullin made it clear that DHS is preparing to make difficult but necessary decisions.
“At some point, we have to prioritize resources,” he said. “There are Democrats pushing to defund Customs and Border Protection and ICE—but those are the very agencies that protect our borders and process international travelers.”
He continued: “We have to ask—who is willing to work with us? Because those are the cities we should be focusing on.”
Mullin emphasized that DHS will follow existing law—but expects cooperation in return.
“We’re not going beyond what Congress has authorized,” he said. “But partnership is not optional if you want federal support.”
Funding Fight Raises Stakes
The warning comes as a major funding battle unfolds in Washington over immigration enforcement.
The Senate recently passed a DHS funding proposal that excludes funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP)—a move that has drawn sharp criticism from Republicans.
House Republicans rejected the plan, pushing instead for full funding of all DHS operations, including border enforcement agencies.
Mullin called the Senate bill deeply flawed.
“That proposal essentially guts funding for ICE and Border Patrol,” he said. “That’s a serious problem, and many Republicans won’t support it.”
Trump and Mullin Plan Long-Term Border Security Strategy
Mullin also revealed that he has spent extensive time with President Trump developing a strategy to avoid repeated government shutdown threats tied to immigration funding.
Their plan includes moving funding for ICE and Border Patrol into the budget reconciliation process, allowing for multi-year funding without yearly political battles.
“The goal is to secure long-term funding for border security,” Mullin explained. “We don’t want to see Democrats use shutdown threats as leverage again.”
With the fiscal year deadline approaching on September 30, the administration is working to ensure stable funding for immigration enforcement and national security priorities.
Bottom Line: Sanctuary Cities May Face Real Consequences
The message from DHS is unmistakable: cities that refuse to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement could soon lose key federal benefits—including access tied to international airports.
For millions of Americans concerned about border security, illegal immigration, and national sovereignty, the Trump administration’s tougher stance signals a renewed commitment to enforcing the law and holding local governments accountable.
