US Justice Department Orders Prosecutors To Probe Officials Blocking Trump’s Immigration Enforcement

The US Justice Department has issued a directive to federal prosecutors, instructing them to investigate state and local officials who hinder the enforcement of immigration laws under the Trump administration.

This directive, outlined in a memo written by Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove, emphasises the department’s commitment to securing the American border and removing undocumented immigrants.

The memo to the entire workforce obtained by The Associated Press on Wednesday also signifies a shift in the department’s approach to prosecution, as it directs prosecutors to charge defendants with the most serious crime possible, rather than exercising discretion to charge lower-level offenses.

This stance is consistent with Republican-led departments’ efforts to remove prosecutorial discretion.

Citing the memo, Bove wrote that prosecutors shall “take all steps necessary to protect the public and secure the American border by removing illegal aliens from the country and prosecuting illegal aliens for crimes” committed in U.S. jurisdiction.

“Federal law prohibits state and local actors from resisting, obstructing and otherwise failing to comply with lawful immigration-related commands and requests,” the memo says.

“The U.S. Attorney’s Offices and litigating components of the Department of Justice shall investigate incidents involving any such misconduct for potential prosecution.”

“Indeed, 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,” it adds

“The Justice Department’s responsibility, proudly shouldered by each of its employees, includes aggressive enforcement of laws enacted by Congress, as well as vigorous defense of the President’s actions on behalf of the United States against legal challenges,” it adds.

“The Department’s personnel must come together in the offices that taxpayers have funded to do this important work.”

Furthermore, the memo targets state and local officials who obstruct federal immigration enforcement, directing prosecutors to investigate such episodes.

This move has sparked concerns about the potential consequences for officials who refuse to cooperate with federal immigration authorities.

This directive is part of a broader effort to enforce immigration laws, which has been a cornerstone of the Trump administration’s policies.

However, critics argue that this approach can lead to human rights violations and harm communities.

SaharaReporters previously reported that President Donald Trump signed executive orders granting immigration authorities the power to conduct arrests in schools, healthcare facilities, and places of worship.

The new directive from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) dismantles Biden-era guidelines that had designated these locations as “protected areas” to preserve access to essential services.

“Criminals will no longer be able to hide in America’s schools and churches to avoid arrest,” a DHS spokesperson declared in a statement.

“The Trump administration will not tie the hands of our brave law enforcement, and instead trusts them to use common sense.”

The policy overturns protections implemented under President Joe Biden that restricted enforcement operations in locations frequented by children, emergency relief sites, and other sensitive areas.(SaharaReporters)