A memo asserts that state and local officials are bound to cooperate and could face criminal prosecution or civil penalties if they fail to comply.

U.S. attorneys’ offices were told to investigate any official who defies federal immigration enforcement efforts and consider prosecuting them.

The Justice Department is directing its federal prosecutors to investigate for potential criminal charges against any state or local officials who stand in the way of beefed-up enforcement of immigrat

The directives to Justice Department employees could face fierce blowback from legal advocacy groups and officials in cities and states led by Democrats.

The Justice Department is directing its federal prosecutors to investigate any state or local officials who stand in the way of beefed-up enforcement of immigration laws under the Trump administration

The Justice Department threatened in a new memo to prosecute local officials who refuse to help President Trump carry out his immigration agenda. The directive raised the possibility of clashes between the Trump administration and Democrats in so-called sanctuary cities and states.

The Justice Department's new leadership directed prosecutors to potentially charge state or local officials who impede President Trump's immigration policies.

The Trump administration is directing the Justice Department to dramatically boost its efforts on immigration enforcement, making it an agency top priority.