Sen. Lindsey Graham Says He’s Working With President Trump to Eliminate Sanctuary Cities

U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, a Republican from South Carolina, said Monday that he is partnering with President Donald Trump on a legislative effort to dismantle sanctuary city policies and strengthen federal immigration enforcement.

Graham, a senior member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, told reporters he and the White House are discussing a suite of measures aimed at denying federal funds to jurisdictions that refuse to cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP). He said the effort is part of a broader push to tighten immigration controls and encourage local cooperation with federal authorities.

“We’re working with the president to end sanctuary cities once and for all,” Graham said. “Communities that refuse to enforce federal law should not be rewarded with federal dollars.”

Sanctuary cities are jurisdictions that limit their cooperation with federal immigration authorities, often by restricting access to local detention facilities or declining to honor immigration detainers without a warrant. Critics argue these policies undermine public safety and create safe havens for undocumented immigrants with criminal records. Supporters say sanctuary policies build trust between immigrant communities and local law enforcement, improving public safety by encouraging cooperation with police.

Graham framed the proposed policy changes as necessary to restore the rule of law, particularly amid heightened public attention on immigration following recent events in Minneapolis and other cities. “We want every jurisdiction to cooperate with ICE when it comes to serious criminals,” he said, adding that he believes eliminating sanctuary policies will reduce crime and protect communities.

President Trump has repeatedly criticized sanctuary cities during his presidency and in the current election cycle, arguing that they hamper federal enforcement efforts and contribute to illegal immigration. The White House has previously floated sanctions on cities that refuse to comply with federal immigration requests, including proposals to withhold law enforcement grants.

Opposition to Graham and Trump’s push is expected from Democratic lawmakers, civil rights groups, and officials in sanctuary jurisdictions, who argue that such policies are constitutional and vital for community policing. They contend that withholding federal funds as punishment could harm essential public services. Civil liberties advocates also warn that aggressive federal overreach on sanctuary policies could lead to costly litigation.

Some Republican governors and state lawmakers have voiced support for the effort, saying local law enforcement should fully cooperate with federal immigration agents. Others have expressed caution, emphasizing the need to balance enforcement with community trust.

Graham said he plans to unveil specific legislation in the coming weeks as lawmakers return to Capitol Hill, and that he expects broad debate over the issue. “This is about safety, accountability, and respect for the law,” he said. “We’re going to work with the president to get it done.”