US, federal prosecutors instructed to investigate obstruction of immigration laws

2025-01-22 20:30:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

US, federal prosecutors instructed to investigate obstruction of immigration

The Justice Department is directing federal prosecutors to investigate the possibility of bringing criminal charges against state or local officials who obstructed immigration enforcement during President Trump's administration, according to a memo to staff obtained by The Associated Press on Wednesday.

The memorandum, signed by Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove, also directs the Justice Department's civil division to work with a newly formed task force on cities that provide shelter to illegal immigrants that aims to identify state and local laws and policies that "threaten to hinder" President Trump's administration's efforts to enforce immigration laws and could challenge them in court.

The three-page memo signals an immediate shift in the priorities of Democrat Joe Biden's administration, directing prosecutors to immediately implement President Trump's administration's plans to crack down on illegal immigration, especially illegal immigrants with criminal records, transnational gangs and drug trafficking.

"Indeed, it is the responsibility of the Department of Justice to protect the Constitution, and accordingly, to lawfully implement the policies for which the American people elected President Trump ," said the letter from Mr. Bove, who before joining the current administration was part of the legal team that defended Mr. Trump in two criminal cases brought by the Department of Justice.

"Part of the Department of Justice's responsibilities is to aggressively enforce the laws passed by Congress and to defend the President's actions on behalf of the United States against legal challenges. Justice Department personnel must be assembled in the offices that taxpayers have funded to do this important work," Mr. Bove added.

The memorandum states that federal prosecutors must "take all necessary steps to protect the public and secure the U.S. border by removing illegal immigrants from the country and prosecuting those who have committed crimes" under U.S. jurisdiction.

"Federal law prohibits state and local actors from resisting or obstructing efforts to enforce immigration laws," the memorandum states.

The Justice Department has also directed an FBI counterterrorism task force to "assist in implementing President Trump's immigration initiatives," although the memo does not explain what that work might involve.