Assistant Secretary Mora Namdar

Back from a great trip to Argentina where thanks to the leadership of @USAmbassadorARG we are advancing priorities including preparing for a great @FIFAWorldCup and protecting Americans and children. Grateful for the opportunity to meet with Foreign Minister @PabloQuirno to reinforce continued cooperation on consular assistance to Americans in Argentina and facilitating legitimate travel between our countries. Was also honored to speak with a dedicated team of @StateDept consular leaders serving the American people around the world.

The United States is excited to organize the biggest and best @FIFAWorldCup in history. As part of the effort, @StateDept has waived the visa bond requirement for qualifying team members including players, coaches, and support staff who otherwise meet all requirements for entry into the U.S. Additionally, we are waiving visa bonds for qualified fans from competing countries who bought World Cup tickets and opted in to FIFA PASS as of April 15, 2026. We remain committed to strengthening U.S. national security priorities while facilitating legitimate travel for the upcoming tournament. For more information: state.gov/fifa-world-cup…

We are expanding a commonsense practice that has been proven effective at getting those who owe child support to pay their debt. Under @POTUS and @SecRubio leadership, we are working across agency lines to ensure American children receive the support they need and deserve. Once parents resolve their debts, they can once again enjoy the privilege of a U.S. passport.

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In honor of America's 250th anniversary, @statedept is thrilled to be planning a limited-edition U.S. Passport featuring customized artwork (including a portrait of @POTUS) while maintaining the same security features that make the U.S. Passport the most secure travel document in the world. Stay tuned for details!

A major milestone: 1 million followers on our "U.S. Department of State - Security Updates for U.S. Citizens" WhatsApp channel, a mobile-friendly way for Americans abroad to access urgent safety and security updates. The @StateDept is using every available tool to keep Americans safe worldwide. Planning overseas travel? Enroll at step.state.gov and follow us on WhatsApp to stay informed wherever you are: whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va…

As @SecRubio announced today, we’re keeping U.S. visas out of the hands of those linked to narco-terrorist cartels to protect American communities from deadly drugs.

Half of Americans now have passports, up from just 5% in 1990. With Americans traveling more than ever, we are where you are to meet your passport needs. Most U.S. passport holders can now renew online from the comfort of home. And 99% of the U.S. population lives within 20 miles of one of 7,500+ locations where first-time applicants and families with children can apply in person. For those with urgent travel needs, Consular Affairs’ 27 passport agencies and centers across the U.S. provide exceptional assistance. Find a location near you at iafdb.travel.state.gov. @statedept @travelgov

State Department Cracks Down on Visas of People ‘Working on Behalf of U.S. Adversaries’

Thrilled to join @AndrewHGiuliani and @WHTaskForceFIFA members at the White House today to share with industry leaders how @StateDept is delivering on the @POTUS commitment to host the biggest, best, and safest World Cup ever. Through innovations like FIFA PASS and visa interview wait times of less than two months in over 80% of the world, Consular Affairs is facilitating legitimate travel for the World Cup without compromising our rigorous security vetting.

Masoumeh Ebtekar - also known as "Screaming Mary" - was the spokeswoman for the Islamic terrorists who stormed the U.S. Embassy in Tehran in 1979 and held 52 Americans hostage for 444 days - subjecting them to beatings, starvation, and mock executions. In 2014, the Obama Administration granted visas to her son and his family to enter the United States. In June 2016, the Obama Administration gave them lawful permanent resident status via the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program. This week, I terminated their lawful permanent resident status and today, Seyed Eissa Hashemi, Maryam Tahmasebi, and their son are now in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement pending their removal from our country. Her family should never have been allowed to benefit from the extraordinary privilege of living in our country. America can never become home for anti-American terrorists or their families - and under the Trump Administration, it never will.

The State Department makes America safer, stronger, and more prosperous and it’s been great connecting with the Department’s leadership this week in Washington. Fantastic to see @SecRubio @DeputySecState Christopher Landau, @UnderSecStateP Allison Hooker, U/S for Economic Affairs @JacobHelberg, U/S for Management Jason Evans, @UnderSecPD Sarah Rodgers, @StateDeptDSS A/S Todd Wilcox, @AsstSecStateCA Mora Namdar, @State_SCA Paul Kapur, OBO Director Jim Feltman, SCA Czar Bethany Morrison and White House Liaison Cate Dillon. They’re doing great things to implement our America First foreign policy!

I am pleased to announce the release of American journalist Shelly Kittleson, who was recently kidnapped by members of the foreign terrorist organization Kata’ib Hizballah near Baghdad, Iraq.   The U.S. Department of State extends its appreciation to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of War, U.S. personnel across multiple agencies, and the Iraqi Supreme Judicial Council and our Iraqi partners, for their assistance in securing her release.   This resolution reflects the Trump Administration's steadfast commitment  to the safety and security of American citizens, no matter where they are in the world.   Under President Trump, the wrongful detention or kidnapping of U.S. nationals will not be tolerated. We will continue to use every tool to bring Americans home and to hold accountable those responsible.   We are relieved that this American is now free and are working to support her safe departure from Iraq.

Until recently, Hamideh Soleimani Afshar and her daughter were green card holders living lavishly in the United States. Afshar is the niece of deceased Iranian Major General Qasem Soleimani. She is also an outspoken supporter of the Iranian regime who celebrated attacks on Americans and referred to our country as the "Great Satan." This week, I terminated both Afshar and her daughter's legal status and they are now in ICE custody, pending removal from the United States. The Trump Administration will not allow our country to become a home for foreign nationals who support anti-American terrorist regimes.

Proud to announce that @StateDept Consular Affairs is implementing the First Responders Passport Act, waiving passport fees for U.S. search and rescue teams deployed internationally under federal disaster relief agreements. This change honors the critical work of American first responders who answer the call to assist abroad. federalregister.gov/documents/2026…

Relieved to see another American coming home, and continuing to work toward the return from Afghanistan of all unjustly detained Americans. Our priority is protecting U.S. citizens around the world. A reminder to all Americans: Do not travel to any part of Afghanistan under any circumstances. Despite Taliban claims of welcoming foreigners, it is not safe.

While we celebrate Dennis’s return home, other American families are still waiting. The Taliban needs to immediately return Mahmood Habibi, Paul Overby, and all other unjustly detained Americans. state.gov/releases/offic…

Under the leadership of @POTUS and @SecRubio, we have expanded our successful visa bonds pilot program to nationals of an additional 12 countries, bringing the total to 50 countries. The Biden Administration had 44k illegal overstays from these countries in just one year. We have near ZERO with bonds. This is saving American taxpayers over $800 million per year they would have had to pay to remove aliens from these countries who overstayed. This commonsense solution is just one example of our effective consular policies that are putting Americans and their interests first.

.@StateDept personnel are working 24/7 to help Americans depart the Middle East. • Over 50,000 Americans have safely returned to the U.S. • Over 4 dozen U.S. charter flights have brought Americans home • Nearly 34,000 Americans have been directly assisted by our 24/7 Task Force. If you need assistance, please call +1-202-501-4444.

Statement from Assistant Secretary Dylan Johnson on Successful Operations to Assist American Citizens in the Middle East state.gov/releases/offic…