Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin reiterated Thursday his threat to withdraw Customs and Border Protection, or CBP, agents from airports in sanctuary cities that restrict local police cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
When asked if this would halt international flights to major hubs like Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York, Mullin said the Department of Homeland Security, or DHS, wouldn't halt flights but "won't be able to process them because we won't have officers there."
Mullin cited the need to redirect CBP officers to protect DHS employees at a Newark, New Jersey detention center targeted by protesters.
Critics warned the plan would cause massive economic disruption and force nationwide flight cancellations.
Attorney Will Stancil questioned the political wisdom of creating "apocalyptic levels of chaos" at major airports when President Donald Trump has a 35% approval, according to The Economist.
Air traffic controller Vivian Lumbard noted the plan would also prevent U.S. citizens from re-entering the country. The Atlantic reported Mullin recently met with airline executives about potential staffing reductions.
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