The Consular Newsletter (January 12-18, 2026)
This week, the U.S. freezes all visa processing for 75 countries, including Iran, Russia, and Somalia, while France opens a Greenland consulate in February.
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.
A. Announcements
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B. Video of the week
C. Consular affairs
Multiple continents
Chinese Consulate-General in Chicago urges Chinese nationals in Minnesota to strengthen safety precautions. Global Times
France to open consulate in Greenland in February amid Trump threats. Politico Europe
Ghana helped U.S. deport migrants, and now its own citizens are shut out. Capital B
Ofori-Atta acted within his rights in refusing consular meeting in the US – Legal analyst. GBC Ghana Online
US freezes all visa processing for 75 countries, including Somalia, Russia, Iran. Fox News
When diaspora and diplomacy cross wires. Armenian Weekly
Americas
Bishop Fernandes praises religious worker visa rule change, says work still to be done. Catholic News Agency
Judge recommends U.S. issue visa to student who was deported in error. The New York Times
Man in ICE custody dies at Clayton County facility, Mexican consulate says. Atlanta News First
The US halt on immigrant visa processing. Center for Global Development
Trump’s ex-campaign adviser says he carries passport with him now because of ICE. CNN
Asia
As China’s companies expand overseas, entrepreneurs want the passports to match. South China Morning Post
Chinese consular help sought over missing HK resident. RTHK
India pushes for consular access to 16 Indian crew members detained by Iranian authorities. The New Indian Express
Europe
British passport changes disrupt plans for reunions, sick relative visits and business trips. ABC
FCDO reveals plans for £100m-plus partner for consular digital services. Public Technology
Germany’s Greenland Consulate decision: following a different path. Devdiscourse
Africa, Middle East, Oceania, and Pacific Islands
Stay tuned for next week's newsletter.
D. The diplomatic and consular networks database and rankings
Argentina’s Embassy in Caracas to be placed under Italian protection. MercoPress
Dar inaugurates new Pakistan consulate chancery in Jeddah. The Diplomatic Insights
How a group of nimbys could bring down China’s mega embassy plans. The Independent
India opens Los Angeles consulate, expands engagement on U.S. West Coast. Indica News
Mango thief caught on former Indian High Commission premises. The Edition
Secret room to be built at Chinese embassy near cable lines, sparking widespread espionage fears. Fox News
Why a Chinese ‘mega embassy’ is not such a worry for British spies. The Guardian
E. Passports, visas, and migration fraud
EB-1A petitions tripled in 4 years: is ‘Einstein visa fraud’ the new ‘H-1B scam’? Financial Express
Ex-Trump ally alleges ‘H-1B visa fraud’ in Texas, shares unverified video claiming system abuse. Pragativadi
Indian-origin Komal Shinde accused of selling UK work visas to illegal migrants for £12,000; Facebook black market exposed. The Times of India
Visa scam unraveled as FIA arrests suspects linked to migrant smuggling. The Express Tribune
What awaits Kenyan man arrested in Thailand over fake passport. Kenyans
F. Honorary consuls and current jobs
G. Perspectives
#22: why diasporas (and everyone else) need to know and understand their rights (by Semhar)
Living abroad: ruminations on the expat life as American chaos grows (by Michael D. Sellers)
Mexican Consulate of Atlanta reports new death in ICE custody, fifth in first 15 Days of 2026 (by Austin Kocher)
New year, new travel rules you need to know (by Terry Anzur)
Remove visa overstayers. Prevent illegal border crossings. End two-tier justice (by Michelle Rempel Garner)
The Trump Administration systematically alters transgender adults’ federal identities, sources say (by Lana Leonard)
U.S. visa processing suspended for Bangladesh (by Nargis Hakim Rahman)
Why I’m giving my kids a better passport (by Engr. Adetunji Adeniran)
Zionism was a diaspora movement before it was an Israeli one (by Adam Hummel)
H. Get daily news
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The diplomatic and consular networks database and rankings via LinkedIn.
Passports, visas, and migration fraud via LinkedIn.
Honorary consuls via LinkedIn.
I. 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.