U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) has introduced legislation aimed at ending sanctuary city policies across the United States. The bill, announced on January 29, 2026, seeks to impose criminal penalties on state and local officials who interfere with federal immigration enforcement.
Graham intends to bring the legislation to a vote during Senate consideration of the fiscal year 2026 appropriations measure for the Department of Homeland Security. He argues that sanctuary city policies in twelve states, including Minnesota, as well as in numerous local jurisdictions, obstruct federal efforts and create safe havens for undocumented immigrants.
According to Graham, “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.”
He added, “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.”
Key provisions of Graham’s bill include making it illegal for state and local officials to impede or obstruct federal immigration laws; preventing them from shielding undocumented immigrants from apprehension or withholding immigration records; restricting prohibitions on cooperation with federal authorities; requiring notification of federal authorities when undocumented immigrants are released from custody; and imposing criminal penalties if a released individual causes death or serious injury.
The proposed legislation comes amid ongoing national debate over immigration policy and enforcement practices.
