Washington: U.S. travel, airline and business groups warned that a Newark customs halt could strand travellers, disrupt cargo and create wider flight delays.
The warning followed comments from Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin. He said the Trump administration could stop international passenger and cargo processing at Newark Liberty International Airport.
Mullin said New Jersey law enforcement was not helping federal immigration officials. He also raised similar action for airports in Boston, Denver, Philadelphia, Chicago, Los Angeles, Seattle and San Francisco.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Airlines for America, National Retail Federation and U.S. Travel Association opposed the move in a joint statement Friday.
The groups said customs restrictions at major airports would create “unnecessary chaos” across the U.S. air transport system.
They said even limited changes at gateway airports could affect passengers, cargo shipments, supply chains and local economies.
Three airline executives told Reuters they did not expect immediate restrictions. The White House did not immediately comment. The U.S. Travel Association said restrictions at 18 airports could cost the economy more than $70 billion. It said the move could affect 68 million international passengers each year.
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More than 20,000 international passengers arrive at Newark each day, including about 14,000 U.S. citizens, the group said.
The warning comes weeks before the FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The final is scheduled for July 19 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
The Cargo Airline Association said a shutdown could also hit imports of pharmaceuticals and semiconductor chips.
