DHS Threatens to Halt International Travel to Certain U.S. Cities as 2026 World Cup Nears
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has signaled a possible move to stop processing international travelers at airports located in “sanctuary” cities—municipalities that limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. This threat comes just weeks before the United States hosts millions of fans for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin has proposed redirecting Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers away from processing international flights at airports in these sanctuary cities. He suggests reallocating federal resources to secure Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities instead. Mullin argues this approach will pressure local governments that do not cooperate with federal immigration laws.
In an interview with Fox News, Mullin questioned, “They don’t want us to enforce immigration but they want us to process immigration at their facilities? Nothing about that makes sense to me.” He identified cities like Newark, New Jersey—where large protests have occurred against federal immigration policies—as likely targets for adjustments.
If implemented, airports like Newark Liberty International would face significant disruptions. CBP officers there handle the arrival of approximately five million U.S. citizens each year returning from abroad, in addition to international visitors. Removing CBP from these airports could force international flights to reroute to other hubs, causing delays, cancellations, and confusion for travelers.
The U.S. Travel Association issued a strong warning about the consequences of this plan. The group described the potential economic impact as “devastating,” estimating losses of $8 billion in annual international visitor spending if Newark were affected alone. This would put nearly 50,000 American jobs at risk and damage the country’s reputation as a welcoming destination.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has spoken out against the proposal during a recent congressional hearing. He emphasized the importance of maintaining open air travel channels, noting, “We have people from around the world and around the country that need to be able to fly into all different kinds of places.” He cautioned against restricting travel based on political disagreements between local and federal authorities.
The White House has not publicly supported Secretary Mullin’s threat. As the World Cup approaches, uncertainty around this issue could add strain to the already complex logistics of managing international travel for such a major global event.
Industry groups, airlines, and businesses urge the administration to reconsider before any policy changes occur. Limiting international airport processing in sanctuary cities could create widespread disruptions for millions of travelers and have a lasting impact on the U.S. economy and international relations.
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