President Donald Trump has handed control of America's visa system to an attorney who previously argued that criticism of US foreign policy—including support for Palestine—could justify banning people from entering the country.
Mona Namdar was sworn in this week as Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs, a powerful position that oversees visa approvals and revocations, passport issuance, and the welfare of US citizens overseas. The State Department announced her confirmation on 18 December, placing the 39-year-old Dallas attorney at the centre of the administration's immigration and national security agenda.
