President Donald Trump's administration has directed federal prosecutors to criminally investigate state and local officials who attempt to resist its immigration enforcement efforts, according to a memo to Justice Department staff seen by Reuters.

The notion that America is being invaded has become the defining theme of Mr Trump’s immigration policy. Hours after his inauguration the president issued ten executive orders on immigration and border enforcement “to repel the disastrous invasion of our country”.

The Senate approved a bill known as the Laken Riley Act, which is aimed at expanding the federal government's mandate to detain immigrants who are in the country illegally.