Halving border controls at major American airports could lead to chaos. Major airlines and travel and business organizations in the United States are warning of this. They fear that thousands of tourists and returning Americans could be stranded and that important cargo shipments cannot be delivered.

The warning follows statements by Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin. He said this week that the US government could soon stop processing international travelers and cargo at the airport in Newark, New Jersey, a major gateway to New York. Local law enforcement officials are reportedly not cooperating with federal immigration officials.

Mullin also stated that he could halt controls at more than twelve other airports. That would "threaten to cause unnecessary chaos in the national air transport system," the organizations write in a joint statement.

The statement comes from, among others, aviation trade organization Airlines for America, travel industry association U.S. Travel, and retail organization National Retail Federation. They fear that flights will be canceled or diverted if security checks are stopped, and that the measure will also impact the World Cup. "Millions of international visitors will face the same disruption, and with the FIFA World Cup just a few weeks away, the damage to America's reputation as a welcoming destination would be significant and lasting."

The White House has not yet responded to Reuters. Three airline executives told the news agency that they do not believe the government will implement restrictions immediately.

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Halving border controls at major American airports could lead to chaos. Major airlines and travel and business organizations in the United States are warning of this. They fear that thousands of tourists and returning Americans could be stranded and that important cargo shipments cannot be delivered.

The warning follows statements by Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin. He said this week that the US government could soon stop processing international travelers and cargo at the airport in Newark, New Jersey, a major gateway to New York. Local law enforcement officials are reportedly not cooperating with federal immigration officials.

I am not sure what they are trying to accomplish here. In the US, this is mostly being reported as "the federal government may suspend international flights into Newark" but, if it is US CBP that runs the controls at the airport, I am not sure where local law enforcement plays into the equation. I would think any issues with poor controls would fall on the feds.

Mike

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