Mullin suggested potentially removing federal customs officials from airports in cities with sanctuary policies, effectively halting international air travel there.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. โ During a visit to Asheville this week, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin floated a plan that could halt international air travel at airports in cities he designates as “sanctuary cities,” leaving travelers at Charlotte Douglas International Airport with concerns.
Mullin suggested potentially removing federal customs officials from those airports. Without customs officers, airports cannot process international passengers, which would effectively shut down all international air travel at those locations.
“Seeing that the Democrats want to defund Customs and Border Patrol, I have to prioritize where we’re going to put Customs and Border Patrol screening,” Mullin said. “It doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to me. If I’m going to have to prioritize where my agents are at, then let’s work with communities. Let’s work with states that are going to work with the federal government to enforce immigration policies and laws.”
Charlotte Douglas officials told WCNC Charlotte they have not received any communication about the plan.
But is Charlotte even considered a sanctuary city?
Charlotte is not on the federal government’s list of sanctuary cities. Under state law, it cannot be, with legislation that prohibits cities from adopting such policies. Sheriff Garry McFadden has also repeatedly stated that Mecklenburg County is not a sanctuary county.
However, DHS previously cited “sanctuary policies”ย as justification for Operation Charlotte’s Web, a federal immigration enforcement action targeting the region โ suggesting Charlotte Douglas is not necessarily safe from the designation.
Frequent international travelers like Bernard Doe, who regularly flies to Ghana, said they are hopeful for a different outcome.
“Ghana is home, second home for me,” Doe said. “I have heard of it, and I feel there’s always a way to fix problems.”
Mullin has not yet released a list of cities he would potentially target.
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