On January 27, 2021, the Department of Justice announced James McHenry, the Director of the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) under President Trump, will be replaced by Jean King, EOIR’s Chief Administrative Law Judge.  Ms. King will serve as Acting Director of EOIR until a permanent appointment is made.

Mr. McHenry was a controversial figure who has been criticized for implementing several policies that limited eligibility for asylum, pressured immigration judges to close cases more quickly, and severely limited immigration judges’ discretion.

EOIR is a sub-agency of the Department of Justice responsible for adjudicating immigration court proceedings, reviewing appeals of decisions made by immigration judges, and conducting administrative hearings.