Graham Introduces Legislation To End Sanctuary Cities Forever

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today introduced legislation to end the practice of sanctuary cities once and for all.

Graham plans to seek a vote on this legislation when the Senate considers the fiscal year (FY) 2026 appropriations measure for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Graham has maintained that the root cause of the chaos surrounding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids stems from the fact that twelve states, including Minnesota, as well as dozens of local jurisdictions across the country have enacted sanctuary city policies. These practices include the obstruction of federal immigration enforcement efforts that, in turn, create a safe haven for illegal aliens.

The legislation seeks to end sanctuary city policies forever by imposing criminal penalties on state and local officials who willfully interfere with the enforcement of federal immigration laws. If passed, this provision will restore order to areas experiencing disruptions, eliminate obstacles that hinder law enforcement operations, and reassert the federal government's constitutional authority over immigration policy.

Graham said, "The end is near for the lawlessness and fraud enabled by sanctuary cities. President Trump made his agenda clear, and it's up to Republicans to deliver."

Graham continued, "I have publicly stated that some of the reforms to ICE and Border Patrol being advocated by Democrats make sense, like more training and body cameras. However, in my view, the real problem leading to chaos, is sanctuary city policies.

"I think the best legislative solution for our country would be to adopt some of these reforms to ICE and Border Patrol, but to also end forever the sanctuary city policies being pushed by 12 states. We should do three things: Fund DHS, make reforms and end sanctuary city policies."

Graham's bill to end sanctuary city policies forever:

• Makes it illegal for state and local officials to impede or obstruct the enforcement of federal immigration laws
• Prevents state and local officials from safe harboring or shielding illegal immigrants from federal apprehension or withholding immigration records
• Restricts state and local officials from prohibiting the cooperation among agencies with federal authorities on matters related to immigration enforcement
• Requires state and local officials to inform federal authorities of the release of illegal immigrants from their custody
• Imposes criminal penalties on state and local officials who release illegal immigrants from custody if the emancipated immigrant goes on to kill or seriously injury someone

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