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Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin raised the possibility of restricting customs privileges at airports in sanctuary cities during an appearance on “Special Report” Monday.
In his first interview as secretary, Mullin told Fox News that DHS will be taking a closer look at customs enforcement operations at major international airports located in sanctuary jurisdictions, questioning their efficacy.
“If they’re a sanctuary city, should they really be processing customs into their city?” Mullin asked.
“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 going to enforce immigration policy — maybe we need to have a really hard look at that.”
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Arriving U.S. citizens and Green Card holders stand in line to clear immigration at Newark international airport, Newark, N.J., Monday, March 9, 2026. The line is longer than usual as Global Entry and Mobile Passport Control services are currently shut down. (Fox News Digital)
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) are examples of major customs hubs that DHS could be looking into, as both are located in sanctuary cities. According to Port Authority, roughly 3 million people pass through customs each month at JFK.
“I’m going to have to be forced to make hard decisions,” Mullin said. “I am not going outside the policies that Congress passed for me, and we’re not trying to push those, but we’re saying you’ve got to partner with us.”
Mullin also warned that sanctuary cities more broadly may be at risk under his leadership of DHS, claiming they are unlawful.
“I believe sanctuary cities, it’s not lawful,” he told Fox News chief political anchor Bret Baier. “I don’t think they’re able to do that. And so, we’re going to take a hard look at this.”
MULLIN SWORN IN AS DHS CHIEF AFTER GOP FRACTURE FORCED DEM TO SAVE NOMINATION
President Donald Trump shook hands with newly sworn-in Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin during a ceremony in the Oval Office at the White House on March 24, in Washington, D.C. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Mullin took the helm of DHS after his predecessor, Kristi Noem, was fired by President Donald Trump March 5, after she carried out Trump’s mass-deportation agenda for more than a year.
Trump was reportedly “furious” with Noem saying during a Senate hearing that he knew about a taxpayer-funded ad contract. The White House told Fox News Digital Trump did not know about the contract.
Mullin shared his plans for leading the department that has become embattled with controversy.
“My job is to empower them [employees] to do their jobs,” he explained.