After several news outlets reported that new Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin has discussed stopping processing of international travelers and cargo at major U.S. airports in what he deemed as “sanctuary cities,” at least two industry groups are pushing back.
The U.S. Travel Association said it confirmed with Mullin that he is considering pulling out U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers as a punitive measure to these cities.
“U.S. Travel believes such a move would have devastating consequences for the travel industry and communities that depend on international visitation,” the industry group said Friday in a statement. It continued that for, “domestic and international inbound travel alike, we urge governments at all levels to adopt policies that promote the free and efficient flow of legitimate travelers.”
Another group, Airlines for America, said that this move “at major airports would have a devastating effect on the airline and tourism industries, causing a significant operational disruption to carriers, travelers and the flow of international cargo.”
Just this week, the U.S. Travel Association released a survey of more than 1,200 recent international visitors to the U.S., noting that 91% were satisfied with their trip, 83% felt welcome, and 61% left with a more favorable opinion toward America.
Along with that report, Geoff Freeman, the group’s President and CEO noted that the country is in a moment when “confidence and perception are shaping traveler decisions. Travel is our greatest public diplomacy tool. Every international visitor who has a positive experience becomes America’s greatest ambassador,” he said.
At a U.S. House hearing this week, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy seemed to disagree with the concept and said he wasn’t familiar with Mullin’s remarks.
“We shouldn’t shut down air travel in a state that doesn’t agree with our politics,” Duffy said.
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