James P. DeHart

James P. DeHart

Jim DeHart is a career member of the Senior Foreign Service with 32 years of experience as a U.S. diplomat. He holds the rank of Minister Counselor. Jim served previously as Coordinator for Special Immigrant Visa Diplomacy. In 2022, he completed his two-year assignment as U.S. Coordinator for the Arctic Region. He brings significant experience in regional security, civilian-military cooperation, and international negotiations. A hallmark of his career has been close collaboration with U.S. allies and partners to advance our shared interests and values.

In 2021, Jim helped lead the evacuation of American citizens and Afghan Allies from Kabul and led the Afghanistan Task Force in Washington. From 2019-2020, Jim led the negotiation of status of forces, defense cooperation, and burden-sharing agreements worldwide. He served twice in Afghanistan – as Assistant Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul (2018-2019) and in Panjshir Province as Director of the only civilian-led U.S. Provincial Reconstruction Team (2009- 2010). From 2015–2018, Jim served as Deputy Chief of Mission in Oslo, Norway, with extended periods as Chargé d’Affaires. Previously, he was Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) where he oversaw assistance programs in Afghanistan and Pakistan and global programs targeting corruption, money laundering, and organized crime. From 2010-2013, Jim was Director of the Office of Afghanistan Affairs.

Jim was a Rusk Fellow at Georgetown University where he taught a graduate-level course on NATO enlargement and wrote for publication. He served as Director for Central Asia on the National Security Council Staff at the White House and as Deputy Director for Caucasus and Central Asian Affairs at the State Department. He worked for two Under Secretaries of State as Special Assistant for Europe and Eurasia and served overseas at NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium; in Melbourne, Australia; and in Istanbul, Turkey. He also served as desk officer for Greece and in the State Department Operations Center.

Jim was raised in a Foreign Service family in Australia, Hong Kong, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Washington, DC, and Central Oregon. He holds a B.A. from Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington, and a master’s in International Affairs from The Elliott School at George Washington University. He is married to Lisa DeHart, a teacher. They have two daughters.

The Consulate General of the U.S. in Vancouver

The U.S. Consulate General in Vancouver strengthens U.S.-Canada relations diplomatically. The Consulate General of the United States in Vancouver represents the United States government in Western Canada. It provides a range of consular services to American citizens, including passport renewal, emergency assistance, and notarial services. It also serves as a diplomatic mission, promoting bilateral relations between the U.S. and Canada, particularly in trade, security, and cultural exchange.

Located in Vancouver, the consulate plays an important role in fostering strong ties between the two nations. It works on various initiatives to advance cooperation in areas such as economic development, science and technology, education, and the arts. The consulate often organizes public diplomacy events and provides support for American citizens and U.S. companies operating in Canada. The Consulate General of the United States in Vancouver is led by a Consul General, who serves as the senior representative of the U.S. government in the region. The consulate is strategically positioned to serve the Western Canadian provinces, ensuring robust engagement and assistance for both American citizens and Canadian stakeholders.