President Donald Trump's border czar, Tom Homan, faced questions on Tuesday about a controversial proposal from Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin to suspend customs and immigration processing at international airports located in so-called “sanctuary cities.” The discussion took place during an appearance on Fox News' “American Reports,” where host John Roberts pressed Homan on the plan's feasibility and public appeal.
Opposition from Transportation Secretary
Roberts highlighted comments from Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, who publicly disagreed with Mullin's idea. “We have people from around the world and around the country that need to be able to fly into all different kinds of places,” Duffy stated. “We shouldn’t shut down air travel in a state that doesn’t agree with our politics.” Roberts suggested that the proposal would be highly unpopular with most Americans, comparing it to a line from Guardians of the Galaxy: “What’s your goal here? To get everybody to hate you?”
Homan's Response
In response, Homan noted that the plan has garnered significant support among Republican lawmakers. He expressed willingness to deploy more Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers at airports. “Well ... Secretary Mullin came up with the idea, and I know it’s getting a lot of support on the hill,” he said.
Mullin's Original Proposal
Mullin first introduced the concept during a Fox News appearance last month. He argued that if “radical left Democrats” refuse to enforce federal immigration laws, then “we shouldn’t be processing international flights into their cities either.” GOP lawmakers have since rallied behind the idea. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) told Fox News Digital, “I think there should be consequences to cities and states that undercut federal law. I think they should pay a price for what they do. I agree with what he’s doing.”
Industry Backlash
However, travel and business leaders have expressed strong opposition. According to a report from The New York Times in May, Mullin's plan would cause significant disruptions at airports nationwide and harm the travel economy at major ports of entry. A coalition of trade groups, including the U.S. Travel Association and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, issued a statement warning that “any reduction in Customs and Border Protection operations at major U.S. gateway airports threatens to cause unnecessary chaos throughout the nation’s air transportation system.”
