WASHINGTON (REUTERS, AP) - President Barack Obama on Monday will nominate Assistant Attorney General Tom Perez as his next labor secretary, a White House official said.

Before joining the Justice Department in 2009, Perez was Maryland's labor secretary.

If confirmed by the Senate, he will replace Hilda Solis, who resigned in January.

Perez has headed the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division since 2009 and would be the first Hispanic chosen for Obama's second-term cabinet.

He has strong support from Latino and labor groups, but could face opposition from Republicans who say his tenure at Justice has been guided too much by political ideology.

If confirmed, he would replace Hilda Solis, who resigned in January to return to her native California.

Perez previously served as Maryland's labor secretary.