The U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) has stepped up its stance against so-called "sanctuary" jurisdictions, ordering federal prosecutors to investigate and prosecute local and state officials who hinder the mass deportation campaign planned by Donald Trump's administration. This measure, articulated by Emil Bove, acting assistant attorney general and former defense lawyer for Trump, represents a significant escalation in the crackdown on illegal immigration just days after the former president's inauguration, according to a report by The Guardian.

The directive requires prosecutors to pursue criminal charges against those who allegedly "harbor" undocumented immigrants or conceal immigration information from federal authorities. To coordinate this action, a working group was created to identify and challenge local laws that contradict the government's immigration policy. In addition, cases of resistance or obstruction should be reported immediately to the Justice Department leadership.

This tough stance puts the Trump administration in direct confrontation with Democratic-run cities such as Chicago, which recently reinforced its policy of noncooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). While some of these jurisdictions partially collaborate with federal authorities to transfer serious criminals to immigration authorities, others argue that large-scale deportations weaken local communities and discourage immigrants from reporting crimes, according to the report.

The offensive is part of a series of broader immigration measures, including executive orders that seek to further restrict the rights of immigrants and asylum seekers. Among them, the attempt to end citizenship by birth for children of immigrants stands out, a movement that challenges long-standing constitutional interpretations and that will inevitably be the target of legal disputes.

This tightening of immigration policy stands in stark contrast to Joe Biden's previous efforts to regularize the status of millions of undocumented immigrants. Now, under the new Trump administration, the priority has shifted to the removal of these individuals, evidencing a drastic shift in the approach to immigration in the United States.