Homeland Security Considers Removing Border Officers From Sanctuary City Airports

Homeland Security is reviewing whether to withdraw Customs and Border Protection officers from airports in jurisdictions described as sanctuary cities. The move would affect processing of international arrivals and could limit scheduled flights. The U.S.

Travel Association met with the department this week and was told the proposal remains under consideration. " The trade group did not name specific airports that might be affected. Transportation officials stated that restricting air service based on local immigration policies would create uneven access across regions.

They noted that travelers from various countries use multiple U.S. gateways and that political differences between jurisdictions should not determine flight availability. Courts previously blocked an earlier federal attempt to withhold funds from jurisdictions with limited cooperation on immigration enforcement.

A list of approximately three dozen such jurisdictions was published by the Justice Department last year, though no airports have been identified for staffing changes under the current proposal.