Trump taps second-generation immigrant to help ban immigrants

Part-time beauty salon owner and second generation Iranian immigrant Mora Namdar was sworn in Thursday as the Trump administration’s new assistant secretary for the Bureau of Consular Affairs, a role that may see her terminate visas for migrants who have been critical of Israel, based on her past testimony before a Senate committee.

Namdar served in the Trump administration from May 19 through Dec. 1 leading foreign policy in the Middle East and North Africa at the State Department prior to her being elevated to the Bureau of Consular Affairs, a role that will now see her help oversee immigrant visas and U.S. passports.

And, according to testimony she gave in October before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, it appears likely she will mirror Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s view that pro-Palestinian advocacy – and criticism of Israel – constitutes a threat to the United States’ foreign policy, and therefore, warrants a revocation or denial of immigrant visas.

“Every visa adjudication is a critical decision impacting national security and public safety. It is essential that our consular officers are equipped with the resources and support necessary to

perform their duties effectively,” Namdar told the Senate committee in October.

“As Secretary Rubio has emphasized, ‘consular officers have the responsibility to ensure that visas are issued only to individuals who meet the criteria and do not pose a threat to U.S. interests. If someone violates the terms of their visa or engages in activities that undermine our foreign policy, consular officers have the authority to revoke their visa.’”

Rubio has defended the arrests and attempts to deport legal migrants based on their pro-Palestinian advocacy in the past on the grounds that criticism of Israel constitutes a threat to the U.S. foreign policy of combating antisemitism. Namdar, the daughter of Iranian immigrants, appeared to openly concur with Rubio’s rationale for targeting legal migrants over their pro-Palestinian advocacy, which to date has led to several arrests of legal migrants not charged with a crime.

Namdar, who’s also an attorney, is the CEO of BAM Beauty Bar, a beauty salon chain with multiple locations in Texas.