The US Homeland Security Secretary has threatened to remove customs agents from airports in sanctuary cities, a move critics warn would cause widespread airport chaos and economic disruption.

US Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin threatened to remove Customs and Border Protection agents from airports in sanctuary cities including Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York, to reassign them to protect DHS employees at the Delaney Hall detention center in Newark, New Jersey, which critics say would cause apocalyptic chaos and massive economic damage.