In a significant development for US diplomacy and immigration policy, Mora Namdar has officially been sworn in as the new Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Consular Affairs at the US Department of State. The appointment, confirmed by the department on December 24 via a post on social media platform X, places Namdar at the helm of critical services affecting millions of people worldwide.
Who Is Mora Namdar? A Profile Of The New Official
Mora Namdar, a 38-year-old attorney and businesswoman, brings a diverse background to her pivotal role. The daughter of Iranian immigrants, she is a native Texan and is fluent in Farsi. Her educational credentials are impressive, featuring a Juris Doctor from the American University Washington College of Law and a Master's degree in International Affairs from the same university's School of International Service.
Her undergraduate studies were completed at Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas, where she earned degrees in Political Science and International Affairs, with minors in Philosophy, Fine Art, and Human Rights. She also enriched her academic experience with studies abroad at the prestigious Oxford University and is known to be an avid painter.
A Multifaceted Career: From Law And Salons To Government Service
Namdar's professional journey is notably multifaceted. She is a licensed attorney in both Texas and Washington, DC, and previously ran her own law firm, Namdar Law PLLC. A statement on Christmas Day confirmed the firm is now inactive while she serves in government.
Beyond the legal world, Namdar is also a successful entrepreneur. She owns a mini-chain of beauty salons named 'Bam' in Texas, with locations in Dallas's West Village, Fort Worth, and Plano. In an interview, she described her vision for the original salon as a "Parisian heaven in Dallas," complete with a signature 20-foot handmade flower wall. The salons have diversified into services like hair extensions and off-site event styling.
Her government experience is substantial. She previously served as the Acting Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs in 2020 during the Trump administration's first term. Other roles include Vice President of Legal, Compliance and Risk at the United States Agency for Global Media (USAGM) and Senior Advisor at the State Department. Notably, she contributed to the influential Project 2025, crafting a section related to the USAGM.
Scope Of The Role And Potential Implications
As the confirmed Assistant Secretary, Mora Namdar's responsibilities are vast and directly impactful. She will oversee the approval of US visas, the issuance of passports, and the welfare of American citizens overseas. This puts her in a position to decide the fates of foreign nationals, including migrants and those who have been critical of the Trump administration, applying for entry into the United States.
The State Department, in its announcement, stated that A/S Namdar was sworn in to "implement President Trump's priorities, including the advancement of policies that make America safer, stronger, and more prosperous." Her official biography on the department's website highlights her expertise in US national security and international human rights issues.
With her unique background as the child of immigrants, a lawyer, a business owner, and a former interim holder of the post, Namdar's leadership of the Bureau of Consular Affairs will be closely watched as the new US administration shapes its immigration and consular policies.
