Aviation Groups Urge DHS to Abandon Customs Cuts at US Airports Amid Supply Chain Concerns
Aircraft industry trade associations, including the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the Airforwarders Association (AfA), have urged the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to reconsider proposed cuts to customs agents at U.S. airports. This request comes amid tensions between federal and local governments over immigration enforcement. The associations warn that reducing Customs and Border Protection (CBP) operations could disrupt high-value, time-sensitive cargo, affecting industries reliant on air freight such as aerospace, automotive, and electronics. The proposed cuts are reportedly in response to protests at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention center near Newark Liberty International Airport. The associations emphasize the critical role of CBP operations in maintaining national security and economic resilience. 
