The head of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced Monday that international flight operations at Newark Liberty International Airport will continue without interruption, thanks to cooperation from New Jersey law enforcement agencies working near a detention facility.
Secretary Markwayne Mullin made the announcement during a Dallas press conference, stating: “As long as we continue to have this partnership with local and state law enforcement, then there’ll be no need to do so.”
The comments follow last Friday’s action by New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill, who deployed state police to take charge of the area surrounding a migrant detention center in Newark. The facility had been the site of ongoing confrontations between demonstrators and federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel for a full week.
Governor Sherrill, a Democrat, explained her decision was meant to reduce growing tensions and violent incidents occurring outside Delaney Hall, a detention facility with 1,000 beds run by private contractor Geo Group.
While Mullin confirmed he had developed contingency plans to reassign customs personnel from the airport to help with security operations at Newark Airport – which serves as a primary hub for United Airlines near New York City – he emphasized such measures aren’t necessary due to state and local law enforcement involvement.
Last Thursday, Mullin had issued a warning that the Trump administration might suspend processing of international travelers and freight at Newark Airport. Following that announcement, major airline companies, travel organizations, and business groups cautioned on Friday that blocking border processing at Newark or other significant U.S. airports could create widespread disruption, leaving thousands of tourists and American citizens stranded while preventing essential cargo deliveries.
Mullin has consistently indicated he could similarly suspend immigration processing at over a dozen additional airports located in designated sanctuary cities, including Boston, Denver, Philadelphia, Chicago, Los Angeles, Seattle and San Francisco.
According to the U.S. Travel Association, completely shutting down international flight operations at the 18 airports serving sanctuary cities would cause economic losses exceeding $70 billion and affect 68 million international travelers annually.
International visitors are anticipated to arrive in large numbers for this month’s soccer World Cup, which the U.S., Canada and Mexico are hosting together. The championship match is scheduled for July 19 in East Rutherford, New Jersey, located approximately 12 miles from Newark Airport.
