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 BriefThe memo was written by acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove.Bove directs the Justice Department’s civil division to identify laws obstructing immigration enforcement.The memo focuses on challenging state and local policies that hinder deportation efforts.

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

A memo from the acting deputy attorney general instructs officials to identify state and local laws and policies that “threaten to impede” the Trump administration's immigration efforts.

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,