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.

In a new memo, a Justice Department official seeks to realign the department's positions on immigration with President Trump's executive actions — and threatens local officials who don't cooperate.

A memo from the acting deputy attorney general instructs officials to identify state and local laws and policies that “threaten to impede” the Trump administration's immigration efforts.

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

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

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

Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove said that local laws that don't match Trump's immigration plans threaten national security.

President Donald Trump's administration has directed U.S. prosecutors to criminally investigate state and local officials who attempt to resist its immigration enforcement efforts, according to a memo to Justice Department staff seen by Reuters.