WASHINGTON (AP) – As a senator, Jeff Sessions became Congress’ leading advocate not only for a cracking down illegal immigration, but also for slowing all immigration, increasing mass deportations and more strictly scrutinizing those entering the U.S. As attorney general, he’d be well positioned to turn those ideas into reality.
Immigration laws are enforced by other agencies, but the Justice Department plays a crucial role in setting the policies and legal underpinnings that shape the system. And if Donald Trump sticks with his campaign promises on immigration, it will be a top priority for his administration.
As the nation’s top law enforcement official, Sessions could execute maneuvers to limit which nationalities can be accepted into the country as refugees and to reverse a federal policy that protects young people from deportation.