DOJ threatens to prosecute non-compliant officials over immigration crackdown

TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) - As President Donald Trump continues to challenge sanctuary city laws, the Department of Justice doubled down on its efforts to push state and local officials to abide by the president’s plans.

The Justice Department issued a memo threatening to prosecute state and local officials who resist the federal immigration crackdown.

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos recognizes there are immigration issues, but he also calls the rhetoric and approach, “politicized and low-hanging fruit.”

“As a local county sheriff, I don’t need Washington to tell me what to do,” Nanos said. “I certainly don’t believe Washington would ever want me telling them what to do.”

Local law enforcement aiding the federal government is nothing new.

The PCSD helps CBP, ICE, ATF, FBI, or any other law enforcement when needed. Nanos said that won’t be changing.

The Pima County Attorney’s Office had similar messaging, saying lawful court orders will be followed.

“This is just another way to state the job of a prosecutor: to charge people who break the law, as appropriate,” the PCAO said in a statement. “On the other hand, unconstitutional directives will be challenged in court. Time will tell how new federal directives are executed.”

Nanos added that while the PCSD will help a federal agency on a job - if it’s an operation that takes great planning, they simply don’t have the resources.

“Maybe it is a mass deportation idea to go and raid this business, or that church. They don’t need our assistance in that. That’s an ops plan,” Nanos said. “They have all the time and effort to put those resources together.”

And Nanos said if that qualifies as resisting, then he guesses the DOJ will investigate him.

“Federal law prohibits state and local actors from resisting, obstructing, and otherwise failing to comply with lawful immigration-related commands and requests. The U.S. Attorney’s Offices and litigating components of the Department of Justice shall investigate incidents involving any such misconduct for potential prosecution,” said DOJ Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove.

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs also responded to the memo, saying that she will continue to protect Arizonans.

“As I did with the previous administration, I won’t be afraid to speak out when the federal government is getting it wrong,” Hobbs said in a statement. “I refuse to let political games get in the way of ensuring the safety and security of every Arizonan.”

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes has had much to say about President Trump’s approach to immigration issues thus far, saying she will not hesitate to call his actions out.

“The problem with mass deportations, if that’s the road they intend to go down, is that it inevitably will ensnare people who are here legally,” Mayes said. “I also will not have any part of and will fight the attempt to set up what I believe are essentially concentration camps and family separation camps in the state of Arizona.”

13 News reached out to the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security for a response and haven’t heard back.

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