Ur M. Jaddou, Director, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

Ur Mendoza Jaddou was appointed as the director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services on Aug. 3, 2021. Jaddou previously served as chief counsel at USCIS from June 2014 to January 2017.

Experience and Achievements

Most recently, Jaddou was the director of DHS Watch, an America’s Voice-led project focused on good governance and accountability in the immigration system. She also served as an adjunct professor of law at American University’s Washington College of Law, and counsel at Potomac Law Group, PLLC.

From 2012 to 2014, Jaddou was responsible for developing and implementing congressional strategy for the U.S. Department of State as deputy assistant secretary for the Bureau of Legislative Affairs. Her responsibilities included critical work on the reauthorization of the Iraq special immigrant visa program.

Jaddou also served as chief counsel for the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship in the U.S. House of Representatives, and as senior counsel to Rep. Zoe Lofgren.

Education

Jaddou is a daughter of immigrants – a mother from Mexico and a father from Iraq – born and raised in Chula Vista, California. She received a bachelor’s and a master’s degree from Stanford University and a law degree from UCLA School of Law.