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.

In a new memo, a Justice Department official seeks to realign the department's positions on immigration with President Trump's executive actions — and threatens local officials who don't cooperate.

The Justice Department has directed prosecutors to investigate any state and local officials who may stand in the way of the Trump administration's efforts

The Trump administration's Department of Justice issued a memo Tuesday announcing a crackdown on the enforcement of federal immigration rules.

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

The Justice Department threatened in a new memo to prosecute local officials who refuse to help President Trump carry out his immigration agenda. The directive raised the possibility of clashes between the Trump administration and Democrats in so-called sanctuary cities and states.

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

The directives to Justice Department employees could face fierce blowback from legal advocacy groups and officials in cities and states led by Democrats.