Reform California with Carl DeMaio · Carl DeMaio

International Flights to be Cancelled from CA!

April 10, 2026·11 min·1 clip

The Trump administration threatens to pull Customs agents from California airports, potentially ending international flights over sanctuary state disputes.

This episode examines a federal threat to withdraw Customs and Border Patrol agents from California's international airports due to the state's sanctuary policies. Host Carl DeMaio, Chairman of Reform California and a state representative, frames this as a consequential political standoff. He argues California's non-cooperation with federal immigration enforcement has provoked this drastic potential response. The specific threat comes from Acting Department of Homeland Security Secretary Mark Morgan, who suggested in a Fox News interview that sanctuary cities should not process international customs. DeMaio lists the six major California airports that would be impacted: Los Angeles International, San Francisco International, San Jose, San Diego, Ontario, and Oakland. He explains that without federal agents, international travel processing at these hubs would cease, forcing passengers to reroute through other states. The host connects this to ongoing legal battles over the Trump administration withholding federal grants from sanctuary jurisdictions. DeMaio cites California's plan to spend $13 billion on providing Medi-Cal healthcare to undocumented immigrants as an example of state policy he opposes. A key insight is DeMaio's admission that this federal countermeasure would also severely inconvenience lawful travelers and harm California's economy by crippling airport fee revenue. He characterizes the state's Democratic politicians as indifferent to citizens, prioritizing services for undocumented immigrants over taxpayers. The episode suggests this airport threat might be one of the few leverage points left for the federal government after court rulings on funding. DeMaio speculates any federal action would likely be challenged in court, potentially reaching the U.S. Supreme Court. He claims a supermajority of California and American voters oppose sanctuary policies and want law enforcement cooperation. The host expresses concern that the policy would politically blame the Trump administration and negatively impact Republican voters. DeMaio concludes that while cutting all federal funds to California is justified, the airport strategy is a provocative and blunt instrument with significant collateral damage. The tone is urgent and opinionated, blending political analysis with activist commentary. The style is a direct, monologue-style address to the viewer, seeking to mobilize a response. Listeners interested in immigration policy conflicts between state and federal authority would find this episode relevant. Those seeking a balanced debate or detailed procedural explanation of customs operations might find it less suitable.

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