A heated hearing on sanctuary policies before the U.S. Senate Budget Committee on Tuesday highlighted deep divisions in Washington over immigration enforcement, with Republicans arguing that sanctuary policies undermine public safety while Democrats primarily warned that aggressive deportation efforts would harm the economy. Former acting Department of Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf argued that local governments that refuse to cooperate with federal immigration authorities weaken the rule of law. “States do not have the authority to pick and choose which federal laws are followed,” Wolf told lawmakers. “To restore the rule of law, common sense, and public safety, the era of sanctuary jurisdiction needs to come to an end — permanently.” Wolf warned that sanctuary policies prevent federal agents from identifying and removing individuals already in local custody who may be in the country illegally. “The American people are safer when state and local government cooperate with federal immigration agencies,” Wolf said, urging local jurisdictions to give federal agents access to jails and prisons so immigration status can be determined before inmates are released. Local law enforcement officials echoed those concerns. Michael Chapman, a Republican sheriff who represents Loudoun County, Virginia, testified that in his jurisdiction, three of five homicides in 2024 were committed by illegal immigrants. Republican senators pressed witnesses about what they see as growing resistance to immigration enforcement among Democratic lawmakers. Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) asked Wolf directly why many Democrats appear supportive of more lax border policies. “In your opinion, why do so many — not all — of my Democratic colleagues believe in open borders?” Kennedy asked. Wolf responded, “There are some that believe anyone and everyone should be able to come to the United States whether they apply for protections under U.S. law or not,” Wolf said. “And there are some probably that would like to see more voters in the U.S.” The hearing also included sharp exchanges between Republicans and economists critical of the administration’s immigration policies. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) sparred with David Bier of the Cato Institute over deportation procedures and enforcement priorities, rejecting claims that judicial warrants are necessary for immigration arrests. “Why? Because it’s stupid.” Graham said after Bier acknowledged that such warrants are rarely used.  Graham also floated legislation allowing victims to sue local prosecutors who release repeat offenders who later commit crimes — an idea immigration policy analyst Jessica Vaughan said could deter sanctuary policies adopted for political reasons. Democrats used the hearing to highlight concerns about the broader economic impact of expanded immigration enforcement. Ranking member Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) argued that mass deportations and expanded detention could shrink the labor force and reduce economic growth. “Fewer working people equals a smaller GDP,” Brendan Duke, who served as a senior policy adviser at the Biden White House National Economic Council, told lawmakers to back up Merkley’s rhetoric. However, Sen. Kennedy clashed with Duke over his sudden concern and used it as an opportunity to air out more grievances with the fiscal record of the Biden-Harris administration. “Isn’t it a fact that the profligacy of President Biden caused 9% inflation in America?” Kennedy asked. Duke rejected the premise, prompting Kennedy to respond with sarcasm: “Isn’t it a fact that if President Biden had discovered life on Mars when he was president, he would have immediately sent it money?” Duke again said no. “Oh you don’t,” Kennedy said. “Well I appreciate your newly found fiscal conservatism.” Advocates of stricter enforcement rejected that argument and instead focused on the public safety and fiscal costs they associate with sanctuary jurisdictions.  In written testimony submitted to the committee, Vaughan said roughly 13 states and about 100 local jurisdictions have adopted sanctuary policies and estimated that more than half of the illegal immigrant population lives in those areas. According to data cited in her testimony, more than 26,000 criminal aliens sought by federal immigration authorities were released by local jurisdictions between 2022 and early 2025 despite detainer requests from immigration officials. Vaughan argued the policies create both public safety risks and high costs to taxpayers, including spending on healthcare, education, and welfare programs. “Sanctuary policies that block cooperation with ICE end up shielding criminal aliens from immigration enforcement,” she wrote. With immigration expected to remain a central political issue heading into the midterm elections, the debate over sanctuary jurisdictions and whether Congress should penalize them appears likely to intensify in the months ahead.