Sanctuary city crackdown as Trump orders prosecutors to probe anyone who blocks mass deportations

Local governments that seek to shield illegal immigrants from detection or deportation by federal authorities could now face criminal prosecution.

President Donald Trump is directing federal prosecutors to investigate state and city officials who resist his immigration enforcement efforts, a Justice Department memo instructs.

At the same time, Trump's border czar Tom Homan announced that Immigration and Customs Enforcement already arrested 308 illegal migrants on Tuesday – this includes some who have been charged with murder and child rape. 

'ICE is doing their job,' Homan said of the swiftly enacted operations.

He also vowed to restart immigration raids, including in the so-called sanctuary cities. Examples of these cities include San Francisco, Chicago, Detroit, New York City and many others that are run by Democrat leaders who don't want to comply with crackdowns on federal immigration law.

Multiple reports detail the new directive and the Justice Department memo, written by Trump appointee and Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove. 

It states: 'Federal law prohibits state and local actors from resisting, obstructing or otherwise failing to comply with lawful immigration-related commands and requests.' 

Migrants were deported from the U.S. back to Tijuana, Mexico on Tuesday, January 21 ¿ just 24 hours after Donald Trump took his oath office

Migrants were deported from the U.S. back to Tijuana, Mexico on Tuesday, January 21 – just 24 hours after Donald Trump took his oath office

Trump signed 10 executive orders related to the border and immigration policy on Monday ¿ this includes one that will crack down on sanctuary cities and criminally prosecute officials if they obstruct federal immigration enforcement

Trump signed 10 executive orders related to the border and immigration policy on Monday – this includes one that will crack down on sanctuary cities and criminally prosecute officials if they obstruct federal immigration enforcement

Trump issued 10 executive orders on day one of his second term on Monday related to the southern border and the illegal immigration crisis.

He vowed during the 2024 election he would carry out the largest deportation operation in U.S. history.

Homan told Fox News there have been no CBP One App releases since Trump took office and claims that total apprehensions at the southern border dropped to 766 on Tuesday.

This compared to the thousands per day that were crossing under Biden's leadership is a drastic change from one day to the next.

Migrants found themselves deported or sent straight back to Mexico as they sought to gain entry into the U.S. at the border between Tijuana and California on Tuesday – Trump's first full day back in office.

Hundreds were seen on Tuesday walking back over the El Chaparral pedestrian border bridge after being deported back to Mexico.

The Justice Department now warns that any officials who resist or obstruct the federal immigration enforcement could now be charged with defrauding the U.S. or even harboring illegal aliens.

If their investigations find local officials to be in violation of this directive but the prosecution opts not to bring criminal charges, they must notify the Justice Department of such a decision.

Border czar Tom Homan said 308 migrants were already arrested by ICE on Tuesday, which was Trump's first full day back in office

Border czar Tom Homan said 308 migrants were already arrested by ICE on Tuesday, which was Trump's first full day back in office

Migrants walk back into Mexico after being deported from California on Tuesday, January 21

Migrants walk back into Mexico after being deported from California on Tuesday, January 21

A migrant waves as they are transported from a shelter to the foot bridge back into Mexico as they are deported from the U.S. into Tijuana late on January 21, 2025

A migrant waves as they are transported from a shelter to the foot bridge back into Mexico as they are deported from the U.S. into Tijuana late on January 21, 2025

Bove's memo notes this is an additional way in which to enforce the flurry of executive orders Trump signed on illegal immigration already.

He also cited threats posed by international gangs and drug cartels, writing: 'It is the responsibility of the Justice Department to defend the Constitution and, accordingly, to lawfully executive the policies that the American people elected President Trump to implement.'

Meanwhile, thousands of active duty troops are on their way to the border as they were ordered to provide reinforcements to immigration officials.

Trump promised to have the military help with securing the southern border.

And even more forces are expected to be deployed there in coming weeks and months, according to a CNN report.

Trump signed an executive order on Monday ordering troops to respond to the crisis and clarified their task at the border.

There are already approximately 2,200 active duty troops at the border assisting Customs andBorder Protection as part of Joint Task Force-North, US Northern Command's border mission based out of El Paso, Texas.

They perform logistics and bureaucratic tasks such as data entry, detection, monitoring and vehicle maintenance.

It is not yet clear which additional units are being ordered to the border or what their role will be.