Mullin Warns International Flights Could Be Impacted Over ICE Protests

Federal agents may be pulled from airports in cities that won’t protect ICE officers, the homeland security secretary said.

Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin attends the annual Congressional Picnic on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington on May 19, 2026. Madalina Kilroy/The Epoch Times

U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said if states won’t allow local law enforcement to protect Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers, it may lead to airports in those cities having international flights no longer permitted at their airports.

Mullin made his comments on Fox News after he said New Jersey law enforcement refused to help ICE agents under attack from protesters in Newark. Mullin said without aid from local law enforcement, he would have to take U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at airports and reassign them to ICE facilities.