The Consular Newsletter (April 14-20, 2025)

This week, reports suggest the Trump administration is reassessing its diplomatic and consular network across Africa, while Israel has banned the visas of several French lawmakers.

Apr 22, 2025

A. Announcements
B. Video of the week
C. Consular affairs
D. The diplomatic and consular networks database and rankings
E. Passports, visas, and migration fraud
F. 5 Substacks
G. Honorary consuls
H. Get daily news
I. Support consular research
J. Thanks

A. Announcements

While we are planning to launch the website in May 2025, you are now welcome to archive your existing works in The Consular Repository and submit new writings for The Consular Magazine.
If you would like to partner with the Center, feel free to get in touch.

B. Video of the week

C. Consular affairs

Africa

Ethiopian Consulate official abducted and killed in Las Anod, Somalia. Horn Observer

Americas

Attorneys for more than 100 international students argue in court against revoked visas. CNN
BYU Ph.D. student’s international student visa reinstated. Deseret News
DHS ‘mistakenly’ orders immigration lawyer, a US citizen, to self-deport. New York Daily News
Indian, Chinese students sue Trump over visa rules. Deutsche Welle
International students file legal challenges over widespread US visa revocations. Associated Press
Judge blocks Trump administration from passport changes affecting some transgender Americans. Associated Press
Lawyers urge courts to halt imminent deportation of migrants under wartime law. The New York Times
Musk’s team is building a system to sell ‘gold card’ immigrant visas. The New York Times
Secretary of State Marco Rubio to diplomatic missions: deny US Visa to applicants who ... after checking Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts. The Times of India
She grew up believing she was a U.S. citizen. Then she applied for a passport. NPR
Socialites with cushy roles concerned Elon Musk’s DOGE is angling to shutter embassies, consulates: ‘It’s not like closing a Starbucks!’ Page Six
State Dept. expands plans for closing embassies and consulates. The New York Times
US college students arrested abroad fight to get home after passports seized: 'Done nothing wrong'. Fox News
US revokes nearly 1,500 student visas: Who are the targets? Al Jazeera

The Vienna Convention on Consular Relations exposes France. Echourouk Online

Asia

Over 5000 Afghan migrants deported from Pakistan in single day, says Taliban. Afghanistan International
Punjab man sought asylum in Hong Kong, deported after 9 years. News18

Multiple continents

Algeria expels 12 French diplomats in retaliation for “undignified” arrest of consular agent in Paris. Dzair Tube
China imposes visa restrictions on US personnel over Tibet. Reuters
French detention of Algerian consular agent triggers diplomatic crisis. The Arab Weekly
Hungary is set to expand its consular services to the Moroccan Saharan provinces. Yabiladi
Indian man's US visa denied in 40 seconds for honesty. The Pinnacle Gazette
Indonesian student detained by Ice after US secretly revokes his visa. The Guardian
Israel cancels visas for French lawmakers. SW Iowa News
Maldives bans Israelis from entering the country over Gaza war. The Jerusalem Post
Now US consulate in Scotland's capital city at risk from Musk's cost-cutting chainsaw. Daily Mail
Russia issued nearly 10K visas for North Koreans in 2024, consular data shows. NK News
Trans singer Bells Larsen cancels US tour dates because he can’t apply for a visa under Trump. LGBTQ Nation
Under public pressure, Bangladesh restores passport clause barring travel to Israel. Anadolu Agency
US Embassy team meets death row inmate. The Express Tribune

Middle East, Oceania, and Pacific Islands

Stay tuned for next week's newsletter.

D. The diplomatic and consular networks database and rankings

In Africa

Slovenia to open embassy in Rabat. The North Africa Post
Trump plans to shut down six U.S. embassies in Africa. Business Insider Africa

In Americas

Foreign Ministry closes the Spanish Consulate building in Mendoza due to deterioration. The Diplomat in Spain
Venezuelan Red Cross provides assistance to Maduro opponents seeking asylum in Argentine embassy. Latin America Reports

In Asia

Philippines to establish embassy in Suva. FBC News
Rwanda’s foreign minister visits Pakistan to inaugurate Embassy and strengthen bilateral relations. Rwanda Inspirer
State Dept. says it continues to assess global posture amid report on possible Korea consulate closure. Yonhap News Agency

In Europe

Kenya has bought a building in London to host Embassy after years rent fight. Kenyans

In multiple continents

Rubio denies that Trump will politicize the Foreign Service and slash embassies. Government Executive

In Middle East, Oceania, and Pacific Islands

Stay tuned for next week's newsletter.

E. Passport, visas, and migration fraud

Antwerp police warn of UK visa scam targeting Belgian travellers. Belga News Agency
Pune resident Vijay Bhalerao, 51, arrested for damaging passport to hide frequent Bangkok visits from family. The Logical Indian

US drops charges against defendant in ZTE-linked visa fraud case. Global Investigations Review

F. 5 Substacks

This selection highlights a number of posts published this week to help readers discover diverse perspectives; the views expressed are those of the authors and do not reflect the position of the Consular Affairs Center.

G. Honorary consuls

The Consular Affairs Center provides tailored reports for worldwide honorary consuls. Contact the Center to learn more.

H. Get daily news

Consular affairs via Bluesky, Facebook, KakaoTalk, Line, LinkedIn, Substack, Telegram, Threads, Viber, VK, WhatsApp, and X.
The diplomatic and consular networks database and rankings via LinkedIn.
Passports, visas, and migration fraud via LinkedIn.

I. Support consular research

Support is possible via a donation. Your generosity helps a lot. Thank you very much.

J. Thanks

Partner: Yonsei University.

We are grateful to the news sources that contributed to bringing you this week's highlights. The content and views expressed are those of the authors alone and do not reflect the position of their affiliated institutions or the Consular Affairs Center.

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