Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin said Monday that sanctuary cities could face significant consequences if they refuse to enforce federal immigration laws.

Speaking on “Special Report with Bret Baier,” Mullin suggested that cities unwilling to cooperate with federal authorities might lose access to critical federal functions, including processing international flights. Mullin said he believes sanctuary city policies are unlawful and indicated that federal lawmakers might examine the issue.

“This one area we may take a hard look at is, some of these cities have international airports. If they’re a sanctuary city, should they really be processing customs into their city?” Mullin asked host Bret Baier.

Mullin said it doesn’t make sense for cities to process international travelers at their airports while ignoring immigration laws once those passengers leave the terminals.

WATCH: 

🚨 BOOM: DHS Sec. Markwayne Mullin drops the hammer on sanctuary cities, they could lose CBP customs processing at airports until they start complying with federal immigration law. pic.twitter.com/oWmxst0fsZ

— Gunther Eagleman™ (@GuntherEagleman) April 6, 2026

“Seriously, if they’re a sanctuary city and they’re receiving international flights and we’re asking them to partner with us at the airport, but once they walk out of the airport, they’re not going to enforce immigration policy, maybe we need to have a really hard look at that because we need to focus on cities that want to work with us,” Mullin added.

In January 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice created a specialized enforcement unit to target sanctuary jurisdictions whose local laws limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities, warning that officials could face legal challenges for impeding enforcement. Last year, a House GOP probe investigated several major sanctuary cities. Republican lawmakers criticized local policies that restrict cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and sought documents and testimony on how those policies affected federal enforcement efforts.

When Baier pressed on whether big cities with sanctuary status could lose their customs authority, Mullin said the federal government will eventually need to set priorities and make tough decisions.

“I’m saying we’re going to have to start prioritizing things at some point. Right now, remember, the Democrats are wanting to defund Customs and Border Patrol. Well, who processes those individuals when they walk off the plane?” Mullin asked. “So I’m going to have to be forced to make hard decisions. Who’s willing to work with us and partner with us? Once again, I’m not going outside the policies that Congress passed for me. And we’re not trying to push those.”

Many Democrats are openly calling to abolish or reduce the role of ICE. Democrats resist full funding for DHS immigration enforcement components, while some lawmakers oppose funding measures without broader policy changes. This has contributed to a legislative deadlock over DHS appropriations.

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