The Consular Newsletter (February 16-22, 2026)
This week, Americans are urged to shelter after the Mexican Army killed a cartel leader, while the UK quietly updates passport rules for dual citizens.
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. This week, Americans are urged to shelter after the Mexican Army killed a cartel leader, while the UK quietly updates passport rules for dual citizens.
A. Announcements
Your organization can sponsor this newsletter. Please feel free to contact the Center.
Support consular research by becoming a Partner, Member, or Donor.
B. Video of the week
C. Consular affairs
Multiple continents
How the visa debate for foreign workers fuels racism against South Asians. The New York Times
Russia forces deceived Colombian tourist into frontline assault units after visa scam. United24 Media
Tucker Carlson claims he was detained in Israel. US Embassy: routine passport control. Israel National News
U.S. Embassy in Belgium takes action after Alabama women attacked on train. WSFA 12 News
US imposing visa restrictions on Iranian officials, telecom leaders. Reuters
Wealthy Americans top ‘golden visa’ surge in New Zealand and applications from China double. The Guardian
Americas
Fresno’s Mexican Consulate busier amid immigration crackdown across US. ABC30 News
Moreno wants Americans to pick one passport. The world moved on decades ago. IMI
US Embassy tells Americans to shelter in place after Mexican army kills cartel leader. The Hill
Visa issues resolved, Cubs catcher Moises Ballesteros reports to camp. Chicago Sun Times
Asia, Oceania, and Pacific Islands
Japan travel warning after Hongkonger beaten with beer bottle in Sapporo. South China Morning Post
Europe
Why British dual citizens are facing new passport issues. The Week
Africa and Middle East
Stay tuned for next week's newsletter.
D. The diplomatic and consular networks database and rankings
Britain approves China’s £255 million ‘Mega Embassy’ at London’s Royal Mint despite security fears. Vision Times
Fiji to restore permanent presence in Auckland - diplomat. RNZ
E. Passport, visas, and migration fraud
Feds seek to revoke ex-North Miami mayor’s U.S. citizenship over alleged identity fraud. West Palm Beach News
Former Minnesota prison guard detained by ICE, accused of multiple acts of immigration fraud. The Minnesota Star Tribune
Serial immigration fraudster working as a Minnesota Corrections Officer arrested. US Citizenship and Immigration Services
Tama County officials warning of scam tricking residents into paying for passport forms. Iowa’s News Now
US group allegedly ran fake law firm and court proceedings to scam immigrants. The Guardian
F. Honorary consuls
Stay tuned for next week’s newsletter.
G. Consular jobs and internships
A non-exhaustive selection
Canada in Dallas, United States / Senior Consular Officer (deadline: March 05)
France in Erbil, Iraq / Consul Général (deadline: March 17)
United Kingdom in Hanoi, Vietnam / Vice Consul (deadline: March 09)
Access jobs and internships (link)
United Kingdom in Zanzibar, Tanzania / Honorary Consul (deadline: March 02)
Access honorary consul jobs (link)
H. Migration laws, regulations, and policies
A non-exhaustive selection
[Japan] 育成就労制度運用要領. MOJ / ISA
[Poland] Ustawa z dnia 23 stycznia 2026 roku o wygaszeniu rozwiązań wynikających z ustawy o pomocy obywatelom Ukrainy w związku z konfliktem zbrojnym na terytorium tego państwa oraz o zmianie niektórych innych ustaw z podpisem Prezydenta. MSWiA / Urząd do Spraw Cudzoziemców
[United States] DHS proposes rule to prioritize Americans’ safety by strengthening screening of asylum seekers. DHS / USCIS
I. Perspectives
Andrew had 40 prostitutes brought to his suite in Thailand (by Andrew Lownie)
Canada’s denial of visas to Palestinian students reveals its systemic racism (by leftiejane)
Canada lures top foreign researchers as the U.S. restricts immigration and threatens funding (by Steve Scherer)
Persist and chill: the keys to navigating Portuguese bureaucracy (by Casey Kelly)
The African diaspora has money. Why don’t we have political power? (by ODE™ — The One Dollar Economy)
The documents arrived. The trip is booked. It’s getting real (by Chuck Junkin)
The French visa formula: calm, clear, approved (by Jameson Farn)
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. Supporting consular research
The Center warmly thanks its Partners, Members, and Donors for their support.
Incubating partner: Yonsei University Country research partner: (AL) Albanian Institute for International Studies
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.
Thanks so much for the mention! ✊❤️🔥