Republican senators are expressing support for penalties against sanctuary cities after Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin suggested using Customs and Border Protection officers at airports as leverage against jurisdictions that refuse to cooperate with federal immigration authorities. Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina said cities and states that “undercut federal law” should face consequences and said he supports Mullin’s approach. Sen. Deb Fischer of Nebraska also backed the idea in principle, saying sanctuary cities have made their choice and are now seeing a response from Homeland Security.
Mullin’s proposal has drawn sharp criticism from Democrats and concern from Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, who warned against disrupting international travel. The concept would involve removing CBP officers from airports in sanctuary jurisdictions, which critics say could effectively stop international flights and interfere with passenger and cargo movement, including travel by Americans returning from abroad. Democrats called the proposal extreme, saying it could create chaos and hurt the economy, especially during the busy summer travel season.
Some Republican senators said they had not yet studied the proposal closely and wanted more information before taking a position. Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri said he had not seen enough details, while Sen. Ashley Moody of Florida and Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska both said they needed to learn more about the plan. Fischer said she expected local law enforcement in sanctuary cities to cooperate with ICE because it is federal law enforcement and, in her view, is simply doing its job.
The debate comes as immigration enforcement remains a major political flashpoint and as the United States prepares for a large increase in international travel tied to the upcoming World Cup. Officials expect the event to bring millions of visitors and produce some of the highest inbound travel levels in years, intensifying concerns about any move that could restrict airport operations.
Mullin has argued that the proposal is a response to sanctuary cities limiting or refusing cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement and to broader disputes over immigration enforcement funding. He says the cities themselves will have to weigh the consequences of their decisions. Supporters view the idea as a way to pressure local governments to follow federal immigration policy, while opponents warn it would punish travelers and disrupt critical transportation hubs.
