State Department Announces Reorganization; Impact on Consular Processing Not Yet Clear

In a brief statement earlier this week, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced plans for a reorganization of the State Department and provided a revised organizational chart to demonstrate how some agency functions may be consolidated.

The principal changes announced by Secretary Rubio will affect State Department functions in Washington, DC, including offices concerned with human rights, civilian security, and refugee affairs. The new organizational chart reflects that the Consular Affairs bureau – which provides visa services and U.S. citizen services – will remain in the management section of the State Department.

Though the Secretary’s announcement did not directly address consular operations, there have been recent media reports of State Department plans to reduce U.S. consular staff and close some embassies and consulates. Most of the posts identified thus far as slated for potential closure do not have visa sections. However, if the State Department moves forward with reductions in local consular staff globally, slowdowns in visa and other consular section operations could occur.