Senate Republicans Seek to Ban Sanctuary City Policies

Graham and GOP push for federal crackdown on local immigration enforcement limits

Mar. 12, 2026 at 7:42pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Senate Republicans, led by Budget Committee Chair Lindsey Graham, are laying the groundwork for legislation that would prevent state and local governments from limiting cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. Graham argues that sanctuary city policies undercut federal law, while Democrats counter that local police should focus on serving their communities rather than assisting ICE agents without warrants.

Why it matters

This debate reflects the ongoing tensions between federal and local control over immigration enforcement, with Republicans seeking to assert federal authority and Democrats defending the autonomy of state and city governments. The outcome could have significant implications for how immigration is policed across the country.

The details

During a March 10 hearing, Graham and other Republicans argued that sanctuary city policies should be banned, claiming they undermine federal law. Democrats pushed back, with Sen. Merkley criticizing aggressive ICE tactics and the $170 billion in funding Congress provided the agency. The hearing also touched on legal precedents around ICE detainers and the role of the Budget Committee in addressing immigration policy versus economic issues like rising gas prices.

  • The Senate Budget Committee hearing took place on March 10, 2026.
  • Last month, Graham introduced a bill, S.3805, that would make it unlawful for states and local governments to pass laws limiting cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.

The players

Lindsey Graham

Republican Senator from South Carolina and Chair of the Senate Budget Committee.

Jeff Merkley

Democratic Senator from Oregon and the top Democrat on the Senate Budget Committee.

Chad Wolf

Former Department of Homeland Security Secretary who served in the Trump administration and testified at the hearing.

Sheldon Whitehouse

Democratic Senator from Rhode Island who discussed legal precedents around ICE detainers.

Alex Padilla

Democratic Senator from California who criticized the hearing as being "off-base".

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“What's the upside of ignoring federal law and keeping people like this out of federal custody? It's a political choice.”

— Lindsey Graham, Senate Budget Committee Chair (qnotescarolinas.com)

“To restore the rule of law, the era of sanctuary cities needs to come to an end.”

— Chad Wolf, Former DHS Secretary (qnotescarolinas.com)

“Sanctuary is a bit of a misnomer. It refers to the decision that local police will serve as local police and not be commandeered to be assisting ICE agents.”

— Jeff Merkley, Democratic Senator from Oregon (qnotescarolinas.com)

What’s next

The Senate Budget Committee is expected to hold a future hearing focused on affordability and the rising cost of living, as requested by Democratic senators.

The takeaway

This debate over sanctuary city policies highlights the ongoing tensions between federal and local control over immigration enforcement, with Republicans seeking to assert federal authority and Democrats defending the autonomy of state and city governments. The outcome could have significant implications for how immigration is policed across the country.