Markwayne Mullin, head of the Department of Homeland Security, has announced a potential withdrawal of customs officers from airports located in sanctuary cities. Among those affected is Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), a significant travel hub within the United States. This announcement was made public in late May 2026.
Should customs officers be withdrawn, travelers passing through impacted airports might experience delays in customs processing. This could lead to longer wait times, as local sanctuary policies continue to conflict with federal immigration enforcement efforts. Further specifics regarding the timing and extent of these changes have not been disclosed.
