A new directive from the U.S. Department of Justice outlines efforts to enforce federal immigration laws and reevaluate diversity-related programs across government agencies.

According to a recent memo from acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove, federal prosecutors and agency leaders have been instructed to review and investigate cases where local or state officials may be resisting lawful immigration-related commands. The Justice Department’s civil division is also tasked with identifying any local policies that might interfere with federal immigration efforts and pursuing legal responses where appropriate.

In a related move, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) issued a memo ordering the closure of all Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) offices within federal agencies. Agencies were instructed to notify employees, place DEIA staff on paid administrative leave, remove public-facing content related to these programs, and cancel any associated training or contracts.

Agencies must submit detailed reports listing DEIA offices, staff, and contracts, as well as outline how they plan to comply with the new guidance. Plans to formally restructure staffing in light of the closures are also required.

The changes follow a series of executive orders aimed at standardizing federal workforce practices. The guidance reaffirms the commitment to equal opportunity based on merit, skills, and qualifications, and emphasizes the importance of safety and excellence across all sectors, including aviation, healthcare, and law enforcement.

The new memo emphasizes that all hiring and promotion decisions within federal agencies should be based on individual competence and performance, rather than personal characteristics unrelated to job qualifications.