The Consular Newsletter (December 08-14, 2025)
This week, ICE accidentally published a "watch list" of immigration lawyers, while Libya uncovered mass identity fraud granting foreigners national IDs.
Every week, the Consular Newsletter updates consular officials, diplomats, migration lawyers, researchers, and travel industry professionals with the latest major news on consular affairs and diplomatic networks. Keep informed!
A. Announcements
Support consular research by becoming a Partner, Member, or Donor.
Your organization can sponsor this newsletter. Please feel free to contact the Center.
B. Video of the week
C. Consular affairs
Multiple continents
A granular look at the Iranian Embassy in London’s hostage crisis. Inkstick
Consulate in Chicago denies: it is not true that the flag of the so-called Kosovo is flying on our building! Serbian Times
Former Tehran embassy hostage denounces US deportations of Iranians. Iran International
US condemns Houthi detention of embassy staff in Yemen. Reuters
Americas
10 people living in one condo in Silicon Valley: Steve Bannon says H-1B ‘scam’ can’t be reformed. The Times of India
20 states lodge lawsuit against Trump’s $100,000 H-1B visa fee. Politico
Attorney uncovers ‘ICE watch list’ of prominent US immigration lawyers. Border Report
I’m an American-born dual citizen. My senator wants to take my passport. USA Today
US embassy tightens screening, says ‘birth’ tourism visas will be denied. The American Bazaar
Venezuelan authorities prevent Cardinal Porras from traveling, cancel passport. Catholic News Agencyt
Asia
Foreign Ministry to strengthen consular services amid rising safety risks to nationals abroad. Korea JoongAng Daily
Taiwanese lose status after obtaining single-use Chinese passport. Taipei Times
Europe
EU: ministers propose unprecedented detention, sanctions, and stripping of rights based on migration status. Amnesty International
New British passport engraved with His Majesty’s coat of arms. Identity Week
Middle East
Integrating the Israeli diaspora into the fabric of Israeli society. The Times of Israel
Kurdistani diaspora group expands efforts to build unified national lobby abroad. Kurdistan24
We never thought we would return’: how Syria’s liberation opened the door for its diaspora to come home. The New Arab
Africa, Oceania, and Pacific Islands
Stay tuned for next week's newsletter.
D. The diplomatic and consular networks database and rankings
Best project, government building: new U.S. Consulate General Mérida. Engineering-News Record
China wants a “super embassy” in the heart of London. Critics fear it could be a hub for intel gathering. CBS News
Ukraine opens consular office in Poland’s Rzeszów. Polskie Radio
Sweden closing Embassy in Bolivia. MercoPress
E. Passports, visas, and migration fraud
Bogus accountant who gave fake jobs to visa applicants jailed. The Times
Libya uncovers mass identity fraud granting foreigners national numbers. The Arab Weekly
Undocumented Zimbabwean nabbed with over 500 passports, cash suspected for illegal stamping. Sowetan
F. Honorary consuls
Stay tuned for next week’s newsletter.
G. Current honorary consul jobs
United Kingdom in Baden-Württemberg state, Germany (deadline: January 15, 2026)
Access jobs: link
H. Perspectives
Consulates: when geopolitics knock at your door (by Christopher Benítez Cuartas)
Cutting through the toxic politics around migration and population 📈s and 📉s (by @Andy Andy @Revkin)
Diasporas, community capital and the real mechanics of trust (by Solenne Niedercorn-Desouches)
Functional traveler gifts/tougher Italian passport/cheaper streaming options (by Tim Leffel)
Guided by the stars no more: a roadmap to retiring abroad! (Part 1) (by Manasa Nadig, EA)
Jobs, passports, taxes, and companies: your realistic playbook as an immigrant (by Atal Agarwal)
Passport, please...and let’s see your socials—wait, what? (by Shay Stewart-Bouley)
Some seasonal advice: what diplomats do under the mistletoe (by David Landsman)
I. Get daily news
Consular affairs via Bluesky, Facebook, KakaoTalk, Line, LinkedIn, Mastodon, 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.
Honorary consuls via LinkedIn.
J. Supporting consular research
The Consular Affairs Center warmly thanks its Partners, Members, and Donors for their support.
Incubating partner: Yonsei University.
Support consular research by becoming a Partner, Member, or Donor. Media professionals interested in contributing to The Diplomatic and Consular Networks Database and Rankings, please feel free to contact the Center.
The views expressed are solely those of the author(s), not of the Center.