Airlines urge Trump not to curb international flights ‘sanctuary cities’

Airline, hotel and other industry groups are urging the White House and top Trump administration officials to abandon a proposal that would cut off immigration processing at major airports, including Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, a United Airlines hub.

United CEO Scott Kirby was set to discuss the proposal with Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin to convey the disruptions the policies could cause to travelers, according to two people familiar with the previously unreported call who spoke on condition of anonymity to talk about a private conversation.

Airlines for America, a trade association whose members include American Airlines, United Airlines and Delta Air Lines told White House officials this week that reducing Customs and Border Protection service at Newark, New Jersey’s airport would “create havoc” for U.S. citizens, which make up the bulk of the 20,000 passengers flying in internationally to the airport, according to a document that was seen by CNBC.

The document also said that if there is a bottleneck at Newark, a major connecting hub, “disproportionate impacts to US citizens will hit heartland America far more than Newark itself.” It also warned against the proposal, which could include impacts to other cities, and said it could curtail air cargo shipments.

Mullin said earlier this week on Fox News that the Trump administration was “drawing up plans” to potentially cut immigration and customs processing for international flights at U.S. airports in so-called “sanctuary cities,” which the government says are more lenient on immigration policies.

Such a plan could be intended to pressure leaders of cities to crack down on undocumented immigrants by threatening to impede air travel.

The White House didn’t immediately comment.

Mullin said in an interview on Fox News’ “Hannity” on Tuesday night said that if “radical left Democrats” aren’t allowing the government to “enforce federal laws … we shouldn’t be processing international flights into their cities either.” He said the administration hasn’t made a final plan or a decision on such a policy.

The Justice Department last August published a list of states and cities it said are impeding U.S. immigration policies, which include major international air hubs New York, Newark, Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle and Philadelphia.

The proposal is being floated two weeks before the U.S., Canada and Mexico are set to host the FIFA Men’s World Cup, but it isn’t clear if the plan, if enacted, would take place before or during the tournament, which could derail travel for millions of people.