Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin on Wednesday did not rule out removing customs agents from airports in sanctuary cities.
In a hearing before the House Homeland Security Committee, Mullin responded to Democratic New Jersey Rep. Nellie Pou, who pointed out that Mullin had recently threatened to pull customs agents from Newark Liberty Airport — among other airports — due to protests at immigration detention facilities like Delaney Hall.
Doing so, Pou said, would be “reckless and dangerous” as thousands prepare to travel to the city ahead of major events like the World Cup , where New Jersey is hosting some of the matches and the final.
Mullin replied that he would not remove the agents from Newark International Airport so long as Democratic New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill continues cooperating with DHS.
“My whole purpose of having to flex with personnel was because prior to the Gov. Sherrill allowing the state police and local police to respond, they were saying they didn’t have the resources,” Mullin said.
Pou replied: “It sounds to me like you’re agreeing that you will not be pulling any of the officers from the Newark International Airport, so long as the two entities are able to work, and it appears as though there is cooperation.”
“So long as the cooperation continues, yes ma’am, that is correct,” said Mullin.
Late last week, Sherrill deployed state troopers to an industrial corner of the city in an effort to “lower the temperature” between protestors and federal agents who have been clamoring outside the 1,000-bed, privately run detention facility in Newark, New Jersey.
Democratic leaders and advocates have repeatedly raised concerns about the conditions at the facility, and detainees recently went on a hunger and labor strike to protest the conditions. The Trump administration has denied allegations of inhumane conditions and said reports of a hunger strike were false.
Mullin’s testimony Wednesday comes as the Trump administration abandons an accelerated training program used to quickly deploy thousands of Immigration and Customs agents. Instead, DHS will certify and dispatch veteran officers to the field to give those hired under the fast-track program additional instruction.
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