(Photo by John Moore/AFP via Getty Images)
The United States Senate is finally moving to hold rogue mayors and governors personally accountable for their defiance of federal immigration law.
For years, these “sanctuary” politicians have shielded criminal aliens, obstructed ICE agents, and turned American communities into high-risk zones, all while demanding taxpayer-funded bailouts to clean up the mess they created.
Senate Republicans, led by Senators Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Eric Schmitt (R-MO), introduced powerhouse legislative packages designed to strip the “sanctuary” label of its power.
The End Sanctuary Cities Act of 2026 introduced by Graham doesn’t just cut off funding; it carries a hammer.
Under the proposed legislation, state and local officials who willfully obstruct federal immigration enforcement or refuse to comply with DHS detainer requests could face:
Up to five years behind bars for officials who “impede, inhibit, or stymie” federal agents.
Stripping the “qualified immunity” that has protected these politicians from lawsuits filed by victims of crimes committed by illegal aliens.
A complete cutoff of federal grants, including transportation and infrastructure funds, for any jurisdiction that refuses to share information with ICE.
WATCH:
.@LindseyGrahamSC on his bill to end sanctuary cities: It “would make it a crime for a state or local official not to turn over to federal authorities a criminal illegal immigrant… you would face punishment. That will STOP illegal sanctuary city policy.”
GET IT DONE! https://t.co/oFLcgm6pgU pic.twitter.com/MijaNnkdys
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) February 12, 2026
Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) unveiled the Protect America Act, a definitive move to end sanctuary cities once and for all by conditioning federal funding on full cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
Under this new proposal, local officials who “obstruct, impede, inhibit, stymie, hinder, hamper, or interfere” with federal immigration officers carrying out lawful duties could face up to five years in federal prison.
According to the press release:
Senator Schmitt plan contains four central planks: (1) permanently ending sanctuary cities; (2) enhancing penalties for illegal entry and re-entry; (3) protecting our law enforcement; (4) defunding rogue non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
“The rule of law is central to our Constitutional order. A nation that does not enforce its immigration laws cannot effectively protect its people. Today, as we sit at the inflection point between two competing visions for our country — one rooted in chaos and lawlessness; the other in law and order — I am introducing a four-point plan to defend American sovereignty, restore immigration enforcement, defund rogue left-wing NGOs, and protect law enforcement. To secure our future, we must enforce our laws. The American people deserve no less,” said Senator Schmitt.
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