WASHINGTON — The Justice Department has issued directives to federal prosecutors to investigate any state and local officials who stand in opposition to heightened immigration law enforcement under the Trump administration. A memo published Wednesday outlines the necessity for action against those impeding federal enforcement efforts, a sharp pivot from the policies of the Biden administration.

Written by acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove, the memo instructs the Justice Department’s civil division to collaborate with a newly established Sanctuary Cities Enforcement Working Group to identify local laws that threaten to obstruct immigration enforcement. Prosecutors are instructed to take all necessary steps to uphold public safety and secure U.S. borders by enforcing the law against illegal aliens.

“Federal law prohibits state and local actors from resisting, obstructing, and otherwise failing to comply with lawful immigration-related commands and requests,” the memo states. The directive aims to ensure that federal officials investigate any incidents of misconduct and potentially pursue criminal charges against violators.

Further emphasizing the shift in enforcement focus, the memo indicates a significant uptick in immigration case prosecutions. It mandates U.S. Attorney's offices nationwide to prepare for an increased workload and report any decisions to not prosecute immigration violations as part of a regular update to Justice Department leadership.

In a departure from previous guidelines, the directive reinstates a strict approach to charging defendants, calling for the prosecution of the most serious offenses available, including those that carry severe penalties. Bove highlights that, “it is the responsibility of the Justice Department to defend the Constitution, and accordingly, to lawfully execute the policies that the American people elected President Trump to implement.”

This transition marks a continuing struggle between Democratic and Republican administrations regarding immigration enforcement priorities. Historically, directives and priorities can shift dramatically based on the party in power, reflecting different perspectives on managing immigration and law enforcement effectively.

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