Customs, Border Protection's Kevin McAleenan Confirmed

Kevin McAleenan was confirmed Monday to lead Customs and Border Protection, putting him in charge of building President Donald Trump's border wall and halting illegal immigration, The Washington Times reported.

The Senate confirmation, in a 77-19 vote, came despite complaints by immigrant-rights groups — and even included advocates Sens. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., and Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, according to the Times.

Some immigrant-rights groups seemed resigned to the pick, the Times reported, ahead of a likely fight over other Homeland Security agency heads — including Thomas Homan, President Donald Trump's nominee to lead Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

CBP oversees the air, land, and sea ports of entry, as well as the Border Patrol which controls the territory in between those ports. McAleenan will also oversee building of the border wall if Congress approves funding for it, according to the Times.

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