Graham Targets Sanctuary States with Jail-Threatening Immigration Bill, Warns of Iran ‘100-Year Chaos’ Without Action

In a televised interview on Sunday, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) warned that a push to require judicial warrants for immigration enforcement could “grind it to a halt.” The senator also backed legislation that would penalize state and local officials who refuse to turn over individuals detained under federal immigration law.

Graham stated: “If you are a governor or you are a state official and you have in your custody someone who has broken federal immigration law and you do not turn that person over under existing law of the United States, you could go to jail.”

He criticized sanctuary jurisdictions, labeling governors and mayors who withhold immigrants from federal authorities as “openly defying the law.” Graham drew parallels to Kentucky clerk Kim Davis, who served prison time after refusing to issue marriage licenses following a Supreme Court ruling on same-sex marriage.

“You cannot change the law because you disagree with it,” Graham said. “To these mayors and governors, when you defy a federal law that is clearly on the books, you cannot set it aside because of your political beliefs.”

Graham also alleged that illegal immigration rates increased during former President Joe Biden’s term and claimed sanctuary policies encourage migrants to settle in areas with limited cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.

Additionally, Graham addressed Iran, describing ongoing unrest there as a “defining test” for President Donald Trump. He urged the U.S. to intensify economic pressure on Iran and consider strikes against infrastructure used to repress protesters. Failing to act, he warned, could result in “100 years of chaos.”