The Trump administration is preparing contingency plans to suspend immigration and customs processing at airports in cities that refuse to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement, according to internal documents reviewed by Reuters. The plans would affect major hubs including New York's JFK, Los Angeles International, and Chicago O'Hare if local officials continue policies that limit coordination with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The proposal marks an escalation in the standoff between the federal government and so-called sanctuary jurisdictions, which have enacted policies restricting local law enforcement from assisting ICE with immigration enforcement. More than 200 cities and counties across the United States have adopted some form of sanctuary policy since 2017, creating friction with federal authorities who argue these policies obstruct deportation efforts and endanger public safety.

Under the draft plans, Customs and Border Protection officers would halt processing of international arrivals at targeted airports, effectively shutting down international travel through those facilities. The documents do not specify a timeline for implementation but indicate the measures would be triggered if local governments fail to reverse sanctuary policies within a designated compliance period. The plans also outline potential reductions in CBP staffing at affected airports, which would force airlines to reroute international flights to airports in jurisdictions that cooperate with federal immigration enforcement.

"We are exploring all legal options to ensure state and local governments do not interfere with federal immigration law," a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson told Reuters.