The Consular Newsletter (April 20-26, 2026)
This week, millions of Americans may also be considered Canadian under a new law, while Russia moves to reopen its consulate in Benghazi.
The essential news in consular affairs, diplomacy, migration, security, and travel for professionals and researchers / This week, millions of Americans may also be considered Canadian under a new law, while Russia moves to reopen its consulate in Benghazi.
A. Announcements
Do you have an analysis, essay, opinion, or story to share on consular affairs, diplomacy, migration, security, or travel? The Consular Magazine is open to all, from students to professionals and researchers.
Media and research organizations can contribute to The Diplomatic and Consular Networks Database and Rankings.
B. Video of the week
C. Consular affairs
Multiple continents
Cuba solidarity protests target US consulates in South Africa. Peoples Dispatch
Eric Adams’ Albanian adventure: behind former NYC mayor’s quest for a new passport. Politico
Global Affairs spent $59K on art for Milan consulate, records show. Rebel News
Pakistan High Commission says due process followed in Gerry’s UK consular contract. Geo News
The Spanish citizen forgotten by everyone at an ICE center: ‘I am literally abandoned, as if I don’t exist’. El País
U.S. Embassy requests HYBE Chairman Bang’s travel restriction be lifted amid ongoing investigation. Korea JoongAng Daily
UAE: Alhind replaces BLS in Indian consular services shift. Gulf Business
Why did this small European nation open a Consulate in Sacramento? Comstock’s Magazine
Americas
Alaska Senate advances resolution asking federal policymakers to protect visa programs. Alaska Beacon
Caitlyn Jenner says she still ‘loves’ Trump despite passport gender marker issue. Pink News
Computers found completely wiped at SVG consulate in New York. St. Vincent Times
DOS and USCIS expand immigration screening across visas and benefits. The National Law Review
Lutnick says Trump’s ‘Gold Card’ visa approved for 1 person so far. The Hill
Millions of Americans may now also be considered Canadian under a new law. The Associated Press
Two US Embassy officials killed in Mexico car accident were working for CIA. New York Post
US embassy orders visa applicants to make social media public. Bangkok Post
USPS helps Americans dodge month long wait for passports with ‘streamlined’ weekend fair. The U.S. Sun
Visa revocations, travel bans and deportation fears are reshaping life for Miami’s international community. The Miami Student
Asia
Afgan Sadygov encountered obstacles in obtaining a passport. Caucasian Knot
Chinese teen’s appeal of status revocation rejected. Taipei Times
Japan to cut passport application fees from July to boost possession. Kyodo News
Europe
Council set to examine visa ban for over 2 million Russian soldiers in June. Euractiv
Africa, Middle East, Oceania, and Pacific Islands
Stay tuned for next week’s newsletter.
D. The diplomatic and consular networks database and rankings
Armenia plans new Embassy building in Kazakhstan. The Caspian Post
Does Florida actually have an embassy in Washington, D.C.? Sort of. Tallahassee Democrat
Russia to reopen Consulate General in Benghazi after 33 years. Anadolu Agency
E. Passport, visas, and migration fraud
4 arrested in alleged fake immigration law office fraud scheme in Orlando. Fox 35 Orlando
Belizean woman found guilty of naturalization fraud. USCIS
Munroe proposes 10-year prison terms to combat document fraud. The Tribune
Nairobi man charged with fraud in Ksh.51 million Canadian visa scam. Citizen Digital
Nigerian High Commission in London disowns alleged Skilled Worker Visa fraudster, Oluomo of Derby. Sahara Reporters
Police chiefs allegedly faked robberies in $5,000-a-pop visa fraud scheme. The Wall Street Journal
Smirking drug dealer humiliated trying to flee UK with new passport. Daily Express
Texas woman accused of posing as federal agent in US Visa fraud scheme. Fox 26 Houston
USCIS efforts lead to two guilty pleas in H-1B fraud conspiracy case. USCIS
Woman wanted for fake passport, title scheme. Click 2 Houston
F. Honorary consuls
Does Switzerland monitor its honorary consuls adequately? SwissInfo
G. Consular jobs and internships
A non-exhaustive selection
Australia in Islamabad, Pakistan / Consular and Passport Manager (deadline: May 11)
France in Abuja, Nigeria / Agent Visas (deadline: May 04)
United Kingdom in Singapore / Consular Assistant (deadline: May 11)
H. Migration laws, regulations, and policies
A non-exhaustive selection
[Malaysia] Notis pemakluman program pemutihan pekerja asing di sektor pembinaan. MOHA / Immigration Department
[Poland] Informacja o uruchomieniu systemu teleinformatycznego MOS - portalu do składania wniosków o udzielenie zezwolenia na pobyt w Polsce w formie elektronicznej. MSWiA / Urząd do Spraw Cudzoziemców
[United States] DHS announces consequences for unpaid annual asylum fees, unveils new H.R. 1 requirements. DHS / USCIS
I. Perspectives
America is deporting migrants to countries they’ve never been to (by Lauren Wolfe)
Despite abbreviated trial, Crown says evidence proves foreign interference charge against Bill Majcher (by Bob Mackin)
Exposing the University of Michigan’s violence against Chinese scholars (by CODEPINK and Megan Russell)
Insights from case reviews with an immigration lawyer (part 1) (by Immigration Jason)
The diplomatic vetting affair (by Antony Stokes PhD LVO OBE)
The new geography of freedom: how 364 founders measure mobility and where are they are moving (by Freedom CEO)
Wednesday why - why Czech border guards wanted our Vogue magazines (by Melissa Dalton-Bradford)
When ‘expat’ means white and ‘immigrant’ means the rest of us (by Giselle Rivera-Flores)
J. Get daily news
Bluesky, Facebook, KakaoTalk, Line, LinkedIn, Mastodon, Substack, Telegram, Threads, Viber, VK, WhatsApp, and X for consular affairs.
LinkedIn for the diplomatic and consular networks database and rankings.
LinkedIn for passports, visas, and migration fraud.
LinkedIn for honorary consuls.
LinkedIn for consular jobs and internships (a non-exhaustive selection).
LinkedIn for migration, laws, regulations, and policies (a non-exhaustive selection).
K. Partners
Incubating partner: Yonsei University. Country research partner for The Diplomatic and Consular Networks Database and Rankings: (AL) Albanian Institute for International Studies.
The views expressed are solely those of the author(s), not of the Center.