Aviation Groups Urge DHS to Maintain Customs Processing at U.S. Airports Amid Potential Cuts
Aviation industry groups, including the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the Airforwarders Association (AfA), have urged the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to reconsider potential reductions in Customs and Border Protection (CBP) processing at U.S. airports. This appeal follows reports that DHS is contemplating scaling back customs operations at airports in cities identified as 'sanctuary cities' by the Department of Justice. The proposed cuts could affect major airports such as Newark Liberty International Airport, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Seattle, and San Francisco. The IATA and AfA have expressed concerns about the significant logistical and financial burdens that such reductions could impose on airlines, potentially leading to rerouted flights and degraded service quality. The AfA emphasized the critical role of CBP operations in national security and economic resilience, warning that any reduction could disrupt high-value, time-sensitive cargo shipments. 
