DOJ prosecutors to investigate local officials in 'sanctuary' states, cities who obstruct immigration officers

The Department of Justice will be investigating local and state officials who are interfering with the Trump administration's deportation efforts in "sanctuary" states and locales.

According to Breitbart, in support of Trump's executive orders signed on Monday regarding immigration policy, the DOJ directed authorities to investigate state and local government officials who get in the way of federal law enforcement regarding immigration law.

A memo from Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove notes that a "Sanctuary Cities Enforcement Working Group" will be created in order to deal with potential issues with state and local officials.

The memo states, “The Supremacy Clause and other authorities require state and local actors to comply with the Executive Branch’s immigration enforcement initiatives. Federal law prohibits state and local actors from resisting, obstructing, and otherwise failing to comply with lawful immigration-related commands and requests."

"The US Attorney's Offices and litigating components of the Department of Justice shall investigate incidents involving any such misconduct for potential prosecution, including for obstructing federal functions in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 371 [Conspiracy to commit offense or to defraud United States], and violations of other statutes, such as 8 U.S.C. §§ 1324, 1373 [bringing in and harboring certain aliens and Communication between government agencies and the Immigration and Naturalization Service]."

The memo echos previous sentiment from Trump-appointed Border Czar Tom Homan who said the administration will prosecute local officials who impede the administration’s immigration enforcement.

The memo later adds that laws that are "inconsistent with Executive Branch immigration initiatives" may be legally challenged by the executive branch. In light of Trump's inauguration, some Democratic officials in sanctuary jurisdictions have actively signaled that they will work to disrupt Trump's efforts to enforce immigration law.

One example is Democrat Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, who has vowed to oppose Trump's deportation plans, said earlier this week that he will protect people in Chicago "whether you're undocumented, whether you are seeking asylum or whether you're seeking a good paying job."