Travel associations in the U. S. have signed a letter urging the Department of Homeland Security not to reduce Customs and Border Protection Operations at U. S. airports Ports of Entry as has been suggested by the current administration. Here is the verbiage of the letter:
The undersigned organizations, representing airports, airlines, hotels and other business and consumer stakeholders, today urged the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to avoid actions that would significantly reduce Customs and Border Protection (CBP) operations at U.S. airport Ports of Entry. The groups warned that disruptions at major international gateway airports would have nationwide consequences, negatively affecting travelers, businesses, supply chains, and airport operations across the country.
“Any reduction in Customs and Border Protection operations at major U.S. gateway airports threatens to cause unnecessary chaos throughout the nation’s air transportation system. International aviation networks are highly interconnected, and operational changes at a small number of gateway airports will quickly ripple across the country, negatively impacting travelers, cargo shipments, supply chains, and the communities that depend on those connections. Airports and airlines rely on stable, predictable federal inspection services to keep people and commerce moving safely and efficiently. We urge DHS to avoid actions that would create unnecessary operational and economic consequences for communities nationwide. As the United States prepares for growing international travel demand, DHS should avoid actions that would create unnecessary bottlenecks and economic consequences for communities across the country. Now is the time to strengthen America’s gateway infrastructure, not weaken it.”
The letter is signed by the following groups:
Airline Passenger Experience Association
Airlines for America
Airports Council International – North
America
American Association of Airport
Executives
American Hotel and Lodging Association
Association of Value Airlines
Cargo Airline Association
Global Business Travel Association
GREAT USA Coalition
International Air Transport Association
International Flight Services Association
National Air Transport Association
National Business Aviation Association
National Retail Federation
Regional Airline Association
The International Air Cargo Association
Travelers United
U.S. Chamber of Commerce
U.S. Travel Association
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin called for the reduction or removal of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at major airports. The proposed plan specifically targets airports in cities that limit their cooperation with federal immigration authorities — so-called sanctuary cities. Those include some of the busiest airports in the U. S. including Chicago, New York and Los Angeles.
“We have to prioritize where we put federal employees, because local law enforcement won’t help protect their streets, not federal streets, city streets and keep them from barricading and causing harm to our employees. Then we have to decide where we’re going to prioritize our federal employees. So, we’re not going to halt the flights. What we’re saying is we just won’t be able to process them,” Secretary Mullin said.