- DHS may cut airport customs Trump immigration policies.
- The move could affect travel at JFK, Newark Liberty and Dulles.
- USTA said it is discussing travel matters with DHS.
THE U.S. DEPARTMENT of Homeland Security is considering reducing customs processing services at airports in cities that do not follow Trump administration immigration policies. The proposal could affect international travel at major airports, including John F. Kennedy International Airport, Newark Liberty International Airport and Washington Dulles International Airport.
The plan involves reducing U.S. Customs and Border Protection staff responsible for passport checks and baggage inspections of international passengers, according to The Economic Times. Meanwhile, airlines may need to cancel or reroute flights if staffing levels drop, according to industry representatives.
Airlines for America, which represents major U.S. carriers, warned the move could cause operational problems for airlines and travelers.
“Reducing CBP staffing at major airports would have a devastating effect on the airline and tourism industries, causing significant operational disruption to carriers, travelers and the flow of international cargo,” the group said in a statement, according to the Times.
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin discussed the proposal during a May 13 meeting organized by the US Travel Association, Bloomberg reported, citing people familiar with the matter.
Airline and hotel executives attended the meeting, the people said.
Two people familiar with the discussions said Portland International Airport in Oregon may be among the first affected by staffing cuts. Another said JFK Airport in New York is also under consideration.
USTA said it is discussing travel matters with the department.
“On domestic and international inbound travel alike, we urge governments at all levels to adopt policies that promote the free and efficient flow of legitimate travelers,” the association said.
The Atlantic earlier reported details of the May meeting with travel executives. Mullin, who became Homeland Security secretary in March after Kristi Noem, mentioned the idea in a Fox News interview last month.
He said cities not complying with the administration’s immigration policies should not receive department services.
A DHS representative referred to Mullin’s Fox News comments when asked about the proposal.
Industry executives and officials said reducing customs operations at major international airports could affect international passenger traffic and cargo movement into the U.S.
Airports such as JFK also serve as transfer hubs for passengers connecting to smaller cities, raising concerns about broader disruptions across the aviation network.
Transportation secretary Sean Duffy was asked about the issue during a congressional hearing Thursday. He, however, said he was not aware of Mullin’s comments and wanted to discuss the matter with him.
At the same time, Duffy said, the government shouldn’t shut down air travel in a state that doesn’t agree with its politics. He said that administrations change and such a policy likely would not continue under a future administration.
In March, The Washington Post reported that legal immigration to the U.S. fell in the first eight months of 2025, with India and China among the countries most affected as the Trump administration tightened visa policies. The State Department issued about 250,000 fewer visas from January to August 2025 than during the same period in 2024.
Approvals for permanent and temporary visas fell 11 percent, the Post reported, citing official data released in early March.
