DOJ investigating sanctuary cities

The directive to Justice Department prosecutors came in a three-page memo from acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove.

He said U.S. attorney’s offices should seek out instances where state or local officials are “resisting, obstructing and otherwise failing to comply with lawful immigration-related commands and requests,” according to The Associated Press, which obtained a copy of the memo.

Mr. Bove said conspiracy or migrant harboring charges might be appropriate.

Mr. Bove told prosecutors to pursue more cases against illegal immigrants who commit crimes while in the U.S. He told them to alert courts of a potential increase in immigration work.

Decisions not to prosecute immigration crimes must be reported to the main Justice Department, he said.

The troops and the Justice Department guidance show how quickly Mr. Trump has moved to consolidate his authority throughout the executive branch. Homeland Security this week revoked a Biden-era policy barring agents and officers from arresting illegal immigrants near parks, day care centers, community organizations, school bus stops and major gatherings such as rallies and protests, along with hospitals and churches.

Under the legislation, illegal immigrants charged with minor crimes of theft, burglary and shoplifting and major crimes of assaulting law enforcement or killing or maiming anyone would be detained by Homeland Security.

The bill would allow state attorneys general to sue if they suspect the federal government is not adequately enforcing immigration law.

The bill is named after Riley, a nursing student in Georgia who was killed last year by an illegal immigrant from Venezuela. Jose Ibarra was caught and released, amassed a criminal record, including shoplifting, but remained free in the community, where he had the opportunity to kill Riley.

“All this sound and fury on Day 1 and Week 1, but nothing to bring down grocery prices,” said Rep. Jamie Raskin, Maryland Democrat.

He said Congress should spend its time on legalizing illegal immigrants and banning some types of firearms.

Rep. Maxwell Frost, Florida Democrat, said the bill was “shameful.”

“On its face, this is an evil bill bent to empower a violent man who is not interested in solving the problems of working people but interested in power,” Mr. Frost said. LINK