Lindsey Graham (R-SC)
End Sanctuary Cities Act of 2026
A Republican bill with 3 Republican cosponsors · See all 3 cosponsors
Last activity — Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 318.
Cleared committee, waiting for its first floor vote
A committee approved it and it is on the calendar of the chamber it started in.
This is further than most bills get, and still no promise of a vote: the calendar is a queue, and the majority leadership decides what is called. A bill can sit here until the Congress ends.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- On Calendar
What this bill would do
The "End Sanctuary Cities Act of 2026" seeks to amend title 18 of the United States Code. It aims to prohibit the obstruction of immigration laws through official interference by state or local government officials. The bill specifically targets officials who restrict compliance with requests from the Department of Homeland Security for advance notice regarding the release of a criminal alien. It establishes specific penalties, including fines and imprisonment, based on the nature of the crime committed by the individual being released. Finally, the bill includes a severability clause to ensure remaining provisions stay in effect if parts are held invalid.
Yes
- Scored +6
Does this give the federal government more power?
The bill mandates that state and local officials comply with federal Department of Homeland Security requests, overriding local policy autonomy.
- Scored +5
Does this tighten control of the border?
The bill enhances cooperation between local authorities and federal immigration enforcement through mandatory advance notice of the release of criminal aliens.
The opposite· 3 of 4
- Scored -7
Does this leave more decisions to the states?
The bill strips state and local governments of their ability to implement policies that restrict the release of criminal aliens without federal notice.
- Scored -5
Would immigrants be better off under this?
The bill increases federal oversight and the likelihood of detention and deportation for individuals with criminal records.
- Scored -4
Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this?
The bill increases the likelihood of deportation and federal intervention for immigrants involved in the criminal justice system.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Enhanced notice for specific crimes: The bill requires responsible executive officials to comply with formal requests for reasonable advance notice regarding the release of a criminal alien (Section 2(b)).
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Strict penalties for serious offenses: The bill establishes significant prison sentences of 10 to 25 years for violations resulting in the release of individuals charged with or convicted of murder, rape, a Federal sex offense, or a State sex offense against a minor (Section 2(c)(1)).
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Penalties for violent crimes: Officials face 5 to 10 years of imprisonment for violations resulting in the release of individuals charged with or convicted of a serious violent felony (Section 2(c)(2)).
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Penalties for other criminal offenses: The bill provides for fines and up to 6 months of imprisonment for violations involving any other Federal or State criminal offense (Section 2(c)(3)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Burden on responsible executive officials: State or unit of local government officials acting under color of law are prohibited from establishing or enforcing any law, regulation, policy, or practice that restricts compliance with Department of Homeland Security requests for advance notice (Section 2(b)).
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Criminal liability for officials: Officials may face fines and lengthy prison sentences—ranging from 30 days to 25 years—depending on the type of crime committed by the person being released from custody (Section 2(c)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would immigrants be better off under this? — The bill increases federal oversight and the likelihood of detention and deportation for individuals with criminal records. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — The bill increases the likelihood of deportation and federal intervention for immigrants involved in the criminal justice system.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this tighten control of the border? — The bill enhances cooperation between local authorities and federal immigration enforcement through mandatory advance notice of the release of criminal aliens. Does this make it easier for immigrants already here to become citizens? — The bill focuses on criminal enforcement and police cooperation rather than paths to legal status.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill mandates that state and local officials comply with federal Department of Homeland Security requests, overriding local policy autonomy. Does this leave more decisions to the states? — The bill strips state and local governments of their ability to implement policies that restrict the release of criminal aliens without federal notice.
- 7/23/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/11/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 2/10/2026
- Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 318.
- 2/9/2026
- Introduced in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
John CornynRepublican · Texas
- Darline Graham
Republican · South Carolina
John KennedyRepublican · Louisiana