US airforwarders, airlines and supply chain organisations have warned that moves to reduce Customs and Border Protection (CBP) operations at US ports of entry could create disruption to time-critical supply chains.
Reports suggest that the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is considering reducing or halting CBP processing of international flights at sanctuary cities, which are places that have banned or limited local police from cooperating with federal immigration.
The US Airforwarders Association (AfA) has urged the DHS and CBP to preserve current staffing levels at Ports of Entry and consult the freight forwarding and air cargo industry before considering changes that could affect clearance capacity.
Cuts could force airlines to move flights to alternative gateways, disrupting supply chains and putting extra strain on those airports.
“Any significant reduction in cargo processing capacity at major gateway airports would create immediate disruption throughout time-sensitive supply chains,” said Brandon Fried, executive director, AfA.
“CBP cargo operations are not merely an administrative processing function; they are a critical part of our national security and economic resilience.”
AfA said CBP clearance is essential to the movement of pharmaceuticals, medical devices, manufacturing components, e-commerce, perishables, and other goods that rely on the speed and certainty airfreight delivers.
The Association warned that cargo networks cannot be rebooked or rerouted overnight because airline schedules, warehouse capacity, trucking links, bonded facility agreements, and customs compliance processes are built around established gateway airports.
“Airports serve businesses, consumers, and communities far beyond the cities where they are located,” added Fried.
“A disruption at just one major gateway would have national consequences for supply chains that depend on secure and timely clearance.”
Airlines, through IATA and Airlines for America, and supply chain organisation TIACA have also expressed concerns about the impact through a joint letter from 19 organisations.
“Any reduction in Customs and Border Protection operations at major US gateway airports threatens to cause unnecessary chaos throughout the nation’s air transportation system,” the groups said.
“Aviation networks are highly interconnected, and operational changes at a small number of gateway airports will quickly ripple across the country, negatively impacting travellers, cargo shipments, supply chains, and the communities that depend on those connections.
“Airports and airlines rely on stable, predictable federal inspection services to keep people and commerce moving safely and efficiently. We urge DHS to avoid actions that would create unnecessary operational and economic consequences for communities nationwide.”
The Trump Administration is considering implementing the cuts following protests at Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention centres, particularly those surrounding a detention facility in Newark, New Jersey.
Major ports of entry that could be affected include New York, Newark, Los Angeles, Chicago and San Francisco.
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