The Trump administration has directed the Justice Department to intensify its focus on immigration enforcement, making it a top priority, according to a memo issued Tuesday night by acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove.
The memo outlines a series of directives aimed at identifying undocumented immigrants and prosecuting immigration-related violations. Additionally, it calls for investigating state and local officials who resist the enforcement of federal immigration laws and tasks the Civil Division with exploring potential legal actions against jurisdictions with policies barring cooperation with immigration enforcement officers.
These directives align with former President Donald Trump’s campaign promises to strengthen immigration enforcement. The administration’s approach also mirrors the typical policy shifts that occur when a new party assumes control of the government. Notably, in 2020, the Trump administration secured the legal right to withhold federal funding from sanctuary cities, though it left office shortly after the ruling.
The memo also directs the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Forces to collaborate with the Department of Homeland Security to support Trump’s immigration-related initiatives. This marks a significant policy shift, as these task forces traditionally focus on counterterrorism efforts, which officials have noted remain at heightened levels.
Legal experts highlight that there is no historical precedent for prosecuting state or local officials who oppose federal immigration enforcement, raising questions about the feasibility and implications of such actions.
The move underscores the administration’s determination to fulfill its immigration agenda, though it remains to be seen how these directives will be implemented amid resistance from state and local governments.