Newark, NJ (June 2, 2026)
Federal officials say international passenger and cargo processing at Newark Liberty International Airport will continue for now, easing concerns that a dispute over security outside a nearby immigration detention center could spill into one of the region’s busiest travel hubs.
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said Monday that the administration does not currently need to redirect customs personnel from Newark Airport to assist with crowd-control operations outside Delaney Hall, a migrant detention facility in Newark. The decision follows increased coordination with New Jersey State Police and local law enforcement after days of confrontations between protesters and federal immigration authorities.
The unrest outside Delaney Hall has centered on objections to conditions at the privately operated detention center, which has capacity for roughly 1,000 detainees. Demonstrations intensified over the past week, prompting Governor Mikie Sherrill to order state police to take control of security operations outside the facility in an effort to reduce violence and stabilize the area.
Mullin had previously warned that Customs and Border Protection personnel could be pulled from Newark Airport if additional security support was needed at the detention center. Such a move could have suspended international arrivals and cargo processing, creating major disruptions for United Airlines, international travelers, freight operators, and businesses dependent on the airport.
Travel and business groups had raised alarms over the possibility, warning that any pause in customs processing at Newark or other major airports could leave passengers stranded and delay critical shipments. The administration has also floated similar action involving airports in sanctuary cities, including Boston, Denver, Philadelphia, Chicago, Los Angeles, Seattle, and San Francisco.
The timing has heightened concern across the travel sector, with the World Cup set to begin later this month across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The tournament final is scheduled for July 19 in East Rutherford, New Jersey, only a short distance from Newark Airport.
For now, federal officials are signaling that continued cooperation with state and local authorities has reduced the immediate threat of airport disruptions.