DHS Airport Threat Puts $8B Travel Spending at Risk Before World Cup

US airlines and travel groups are warning that a DHS proposal could disrupt international travel at some of the country’s busiest airports.

In late May 2026, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said the administration was considering removing Customs and Border Protection officers from airports in “sanctuary cities.” These are cities that limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.

The plan has not been approved, but the industry is already pushing back. Travel groups say customs processing is not a political tool. It is a basic part of the international travel system. Without enough CBP officers, airports cannot properly process arriving passengers or cargo from abroad.

Newark shows why the risk is serious

Newark Liberty International Airport is at the center of the warning. It is a major international gateway for the New York-New Jersey region and an important connecting airport for travelers heading to other US cities. If customs processing were reduced there, airlines could be forced to cancel flights, delay arrivals, or send aircraft to other airports.

That would be difficult to manage. Nearby airports already have limits on gates, runway space, customs capacity, and flight slots. Airlines for America warned that changes at a few major gateway airports could quickly spread across the national air network, affecting passengers, cargo, crews, and connecting flights.

World Cup timing makes the threat more sensitive

The timing adds pressure. The 2026 FIFA World Cup begins on June 11, and the final will be held at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, close to Newark Airport. That airport is expected to help handle fans, teams, sponsors, media, and business travelers during one of the biggest global events hosted in North America.

Industry groups warn of economic damage

The US Travel Association said removing CBP officers from Newark could cause major harm to the travel economy. The group estimated that the move could put about $8B in annual international visitor spending and nearly 50,000 US jobs at risk. It also warned that many affected travelers would be Americans trying to return home from abroad, not only foreign visitors.

The impact would also reach cargo. International airports process goods that must clear customs before entering the US market. If customs staffing is reduced, shipments could be delayed or rerouted. That is why airlines, hotels, cargo companies, and tourism groups see the proposal as a national travel and commerce issue, not only a local immigration dispute.

World Cup travel growth raises the stakes for US Airports

This customs staffing threat comes as the US is already preparing for a more demanding international travel period. Lately, Sojern data showed stronger flight demand across many World Cup host markets in the US, Mexico, and Canada. That makes airport readiness more important, because border delays at major gateways could affect not only regular summer travel but also the flow of fans, teams, media, and business travelers around the tournament.

Photo by Paul Cuoco on Unsplash