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.

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 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 DOJ instructed prosecutors to pursue criminal charges against officials obstructing federal immigration enforcement.

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

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.

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