Dallas attorney and entrepreneur Mora Namdar has officially stepped into one of the most traveler-facing jobs in the federal government, taking the helm of the State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs just in time for what officials expect to be a packed travel year.
Namdar was sworn in this week as Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Consular Affairs after winning Senate confirmation last Thursday, putting a native Texan in charge of the office that issues U.S. passports and oversees visa operations worldwide. It is a portfolio she has led before, following her most recent work on Middle East and North Africa policy inside the department.
We are excited to welcome Assistant Secretary Mora Namdar to the Bureau of Consular Affairs! A/S Namdar was sworn in this week to implement President Trump’s priorities, including the advancement of policies that make America safer, stronger, and more prosperous.
— Travel - State Dept (@TravelGov) December 24, 2025
What the Job Covers
The Bureau of Consular Affairs issues millions of U.S. passports each year, processes visas for visitors and immigrants, and provides emergency and welfare assistance to U.S. citizens abroad, according to Travel.State.Gov. The Assistant Secretary oversees those operations and sets policy that guides consular officers at U.S. embassies and consulates around the world.
From Dallas Salons to the State Department
Before returning to government, Namdar founded BAM Beauty Bar, a boutique blowout-and-makeup concept with locations in the Dallas area that was profiled by D Magazine. She also ran Namdar Law PLLC, a firm that is currently not in active practice while she serves at the State Department. The firm’s site lists earlier roles at the U.S. Agency for Global Media and in government legal work, according to Namdar Law PLLC.
Her Record and Priorities
The Senate confirmed Namdar last Thursday, and the consular bureau later noted that she was “sworn in this week to implement President Trump’s priorities,” according to The Dallas Morning News. In prepared testimony at her October confirmation hearing, she described visa decisions as a national security issue and said consular officers should be empowered to deny or revoke visas when individuals violate terms or undermine U.S. foreign policy.
Namdar told senators she would focus on protecting Americans overseas and strengthening the integrity of the immigration system, signaling that frontline consular officers could see a continued emphasis on security and enforcement alongside routine travel services.
What Critics and Supporters Say
The appointment has drawn both praise and pushback. Administration officials and some advocates have pointed to Namdar’s mix of legal, policy, and private sector experience as an asset for a bureau bracing for heavier passport and visa demand next year. At the same time, reporting has highlighted scrutiny of her previous work on Project 2025 and her prior role at the U.S. Agency for Global Media, as The Daily Beast noted.
Legal Authority and Limits
The Assistant Secretary leads the Consular Information Program and holds delegated authority over passport and visa policies. The Foreign Affairs Manual spells out the bureau’s responsibilities and the scope of the Assistant Secretary’s authorities, including oversight of consular messaging and services, according to the Foreign Affairs Manual (7 FAM). That framework gives the bureau tools to deny or revoke visas under specified regulations, while also requiring interagency coordination and procedural safeguards.
For Dallas, the appointment puts a local figure at the center of decisions that touch everyday travel and international movement, from passport approvals to emergency help for Americans abroad. As the bureau adjusts to new leadership, consular staff in Washington and at posts overseas will be watching how Namdar’s stated priorities translate into daily operations.
