Senator, Jeff Sessions became the leading voice in Congress for a crackdown on illegal immigration and for increasing mass deportations. This would give stricter scrutiny to those wanting to enter the US and slow down all forms of immigration. As President-Elect, Donald Trump’s selection for the new Attorney General of his administration, Sessions would be in a position where he could make some of those ideas reality.
Although other agencies enforce immigration law, the Justice Department plays a crucial role in setting the legal underpinnings and policies that help to shape that system. Immigration is likely to be a major priority if Trump sticks to his campaign promises.
As the top law enforcement official in the US, Sessions could limit the nationalities from which the US would be willing to allow immigrant refugees. He could also end the deferred action program, enacted in 2012 by President Barack Obama, to protect young undocumented immigrants who came to the country as children from being deported. Sessions noted during this year’s Republican convention that the President has the power to suspend all immigration to protect the US.
The Alabama Senator was the first to lend his support when Trump ran for President and helped to shape the controversial billionaire’s immigration positions. Sessions believes in putting limits on the number of refugees allowed to come to the US and would have a great deal of power with regards to immigration as Attorney General.