Jeff Sessions was sworn in as attorney general Thursday after the U.S. Senate confirmed his nomination to the post Wednesday evening.

Sessions was one of President Donald Trump’s key cabinet appointments. The Justice Department oversees the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), the Executive Office of Immigration Review (EOIR), the Office of Special Counsel for Immigration-Related Unfair Employment Practices (OSC), the Office of Immigration Litigation (OIL) and U.S. attorneys’ offices responsible for civil and criminal enforcement of immigration laws.

“I fully understand the august responsibilities of that office,” Sessions, a longtime U.S. senator from Alabama, said after the Senate confirmed him in a 52-47 vote.

BAL Analysis: Trump’s appointment of Sessions—an advocate of reducing both legal and illegal immigration—was consistent with Trump’s campaign promises on immigration. The Senate’s confirmation of Sessions could portend shifts in immigration policy and enforcement. BAL will continue to follow changes to immigration law and policy in the new administration and will provide clients with updates should significant changes be made.

This alert has been provided by the BAL U.S. Practice group. For additional information, please contact BerryApplemanLeiden@bal.com.

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