Attorney General Jeff Sessions is defending a new Texas law designed to crack down on sanctuary cities, the Washington Examiner reports.
The state law is scheduled to take effect in September and would let local law enforcement question the immigration status of those legally detained, the website said, and law enforcement officials who do not cooperate with federal immigration agents would be punished.
"President [Donald] Trump has made a commitment to keep America safe and to ensure cooperation with federal immigration laws," Sessions said. "Texas has admirably followed his lead by mandating state-wide cooperation with federal immigration laws that require the removal of illegal aliens who have committed crimes."
The law is being challenged in court by numerous cities in Texas. The cities claim it is unconstitutional because it would encourage racial profiling, the Austin American-Statesman reported.
They also claim it creates immigration law — a power reserved for the federal government.
"The Department of Justice fully supports Texas' effort and is participating in this lawsuit because of the strong federal interest in facilitating the state and local cooperation that is critical in enforcing our nation's immigration laws," Sessions said.