Lindsey Graham blasts calls for judicial warrants in ICE deportation cases: ‘It’s stupid’

WASHINGTON, DC: Senator Lindsey Graham criticized Democrats over their demand that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) obtain judicial warrants before carrying out deportations under President Donald Trump.

Graham dismissed the proposal as “stupid” and argued it would unnecessarily slow immigration enforcement. He also pointed out that the Obama administration did not rely on such warrants for routine deportation actions.

Tense exchange between Lindsey Graham and immigration policy expert

During a tense exchange at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on immigration enforcement, Graham pressed immigration policy expert David Bier over whether judicial warrants were used in past deportations within the United States. Graham asked directly, “Were there people deported inside the United States?”

Bier began responding by arguing that comparing interior deportations to actions at the border was not entirely fair, saying, “Well, I mean, I think it's a little bit unfair to compare deported at the border. I think Jessica would...”

Graham quickly cut him off, pushing for a direct answer. “Listen, listen. You don't want to answer a question that's fine, but don't tell me what's fair and unfair. Bottom line: Did he use judicial warrants to deport anybody? Point is, he deported somebody in the interior. Did he have a judicial warrant? No, no. Why? Because it's stupid.”

Democrats push for DHS reforms as GOP warns of security risks during Iran conflict

U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks to graduating students at the Coleman Coliseum at the University of Alabama on May 01, 2025 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.( Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

A week after President Donald Trump ordered military strikes on Iran, Democrats are standing firm in their decision not to reopen the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) unless major reforms are made to the agency.

Party leaders are pushing for stricter rules for officers from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and many Democratic lawmakers appear to support the effort.

A test vote in the House on Thursday, March 4, showed strong Democratic backing for the leadership’s position. Some lawmakers say they will not support funding the agency until concerns about civil rights are addressed.

Representative Brad Schneider, head of the New Democrat Coalition, said he is worried that DHS officers have ignored constitutional rights and the civil liberties of U.S. citizens. He said, "So until we see officers who abuse citizens’ civil rights held to full account, until we restore full congressional oversight, I’m not giving another penny to ICE and CBP"

Republicans, however, warn that keeping DHS closed could threaten national security, especially while tensions with Iran continue. GOP leaders have used the conflict to pressure Democrats to drop their reform demands and support a Republican bill to reopen the agency. House Speaker Mike Johnson accused Democrats of shutting down an agency responsible for protecting Americans.

However, Democrats rejected that criticism. They argued that voters are more concerned about the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration enforcement policies than about the funding standoff. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said Democrats will not be pressured into backing the Republican plan.

The dispute over DHS funding began after two US citizens were fatally shot by federal immigration officers in Minneapolis in January. Following the incident, Democrats demanded new rules for DHS law enforcement before agreeing to fund the department. Their proposals include banning officers from wearing face masks, requiring body cameras, and mandating warrants before arrests.

The White House and Senate Democrats have discussed possible compromises, but so far they have not reached an agreement.