It is a fundamental principle under the Supremacy ClauseREF of the U.S. Constitution that state and local officials are not protected by the doctrine of sovereign immunity from federal criminal prosecution.REF Governors, sheriffs, and other law enforcement and government officials who conceal, harbor, transport, or take other actions intended to protect aliens illegally in the United States can be criminally prosecuted by the U.S. Department of Justice under applicable federal immigration law.REF Moreover, any attempts by state or local governments to restrict or limit the ability of their officials or staff to send to, or receive information from, the federal government on the immigration status of any individual is also a civil violation of federal law subject to injunctive issued by a court in any successful litigation brought by the Justice Department.
