DOJ Orders Probe Into Elected Officials Who Are ‘Resisting’ Deportations

A new Justice Department memo calls for criminal investigations into local officials who refuse to help with federal immigration enforcement, according to a new report from Bloomberg.

Key Facts:

• Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove ordered these investigations in a memo dated Jan. 20.
• A “Sanctuary Cities Enforcement Working Group” will focus on states and cities that do not comply with federal immigration directives.
• Bove warned that the Supremacy Clause requires local compliance and cited laws carrying penalties of up to five years in prison.
• Trump’s promises of widespread deportations depend on local cooperation to increase enforcement capacity.

The Rest of The Story:

The internal memo comes from Emil Bove, who has served as Trump’s criminal defense lawyer and is now the interim second-in-command at the Department of Justice.

The newly established working group is set to identify and challenge local policies that run counter to Trump’s immigration orders.

Sanctuary cities, a term for jurisdictions that limit cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, are again in the spotlight.

Bove’s memo signals a shift from withholding federal funds to seeking criminal penalties for those who hinder federal immigration law.

Local leaders in Chicago, Denver, and elsewhere have pledged to oppose Trump’s approach.

At the same time, the Department of Homeland Security has reinstated tighter asylum limits at the border and eliminated prior policies that showed leniency toward sensitive locations.

Commentary:

This is excellent news for anyone concerned about illegal immigration.

It shows Trump is serious about deportation and removing those who illegally stand in the way of federal law.

It’s a shame we have to reach this point, but what the Biden administration did by effectively opening the border was inexcusable and must be reversed to restore order and protect our communities.

The Bottom Line:

Federal officials now appear ready to take strong action against sanctuary jurisdictions.

This memo marks a serious step toward enforcing immigration laws nationwide.