The Consular Newsletter (June 02-08, 2025)
This week, Chad halted visas for U.S. citizens over the Trump administration's travel ban, while Washington moved to reopen its embassy in Syria.
Every Monday, 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!
Contents: 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. Five perspectives. G. Honorary consuls. H. Get daily news. I. Support consular research. J. Thanks.
A. Announcements
While we are planning to launch the website in June 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
Americas
An hour before being blocked, State told consulates to reject Harvard visas. The Washington Post
Donald Trump's gold card sees rich applicants flock to 'red carpet visa'. Newsweek
In a new tactic, ICE is arresting migrants at immigration courts, attorneys say. ABC News
Inside the siege: Venezuelan dissidents tell story of their escape from embassy. Miami Herald
NJ diocese hopes proposed law will resolve religious worker visa problems. OSV News
No social media account? No US visa? Gulte
State Department tells consulates to resume processing Harvard visas. The Washington Post
Student visa revocations explained. The DePaulia
Suspect in Pearl Street Mall attack was in U.S. on expired travel visa, asked for asylum. Denver7
These US states lead the passport stampede. Black Enterprise
Trump reinstates US travel ban, bars citizens of 12 countries. Reuters
Trump's $5 million Gold Card offers the rich a fast lane to residency. NPR
Visa pause could leave U.S. with fewer new doctors amid shortage. Forbes
Europe
Harry and Meghan explored changing surname to Spencer amid children’s passport delays. The Guardian
How a second passport became the key to freedom for young Brits. The Independent
In Melitopol, the occupiers are giving water only with a Russian passport. Ukrainian News Agency
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle feared King Charles 'blocked' kids' passports over HRH titles, considered name change. People
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle 'passport name change threat' shot down by expert. Daily Express
Oceania and Pacific Islands
Alleged rapist influencer Andrew Tate got Vanuatu passport around time of 2022 arrest. OCCRP
Andrew Tate's 'golden passport' set to be revoked. Newsweek
Vanuatu says it has no plans to revoke Andrew Tate’s golden passport after review. The Independent
Multiple continents
Chad announces suspension of visas to US citizens in response to Trump travel ban The Associated Press
Governments denounce Trump’s travel ban and vow to push back against US. The Associated Press
If these consulate walls could talk. Kathimerini
Over 700 American scholars of China urge Marco Rubio to pause visa constraints on students. South China Morning Post
UK mission helping family of Briton missing in Malaysia. New Straits Time
Africa, Asia, and Middle East
Stay tuned for next week's newsletter.
D. The diplomatic and consular networks database and rankings
Armenia to buy €4,3 million building for Brussels embassy. Armenpress
Building housing Polish consulate to be confiscated in Hrodna. Its co-owner convicted. Belsat
Construction begins on US$400m United States embassy in Trinidad. Jamaica Observer
High Commission building in London under renovation. The National
Labor’s Russian embassy headache returns to court. Inside Story
Romanian diaspora asks new Romanian president to reopen consulate in Odesa. Intent
US returns to embassy in Syria after 13-year hiatus. The Floridian
White House urges Keir Starmer to block Chinese 'super embassy' in London amid national security fears. The Standard
Are you aware of any recent openings or closures of embassies, high commissions, consular posts, or permanent missions? The platform fosters collaboration, so please feel free to use its "Update" feature to suggest any changes: https://arcg.is/1TDPiy1
E. Passport, visas, and migration fraud
Agent arrested for facilitating illegal travel to Spain using fake visas, 3 held at Delhi airport. Deccan Herald
BBB issues warning for website charging over $80 for free government documents. News Channel 6
Cognizant granted some DHS docs in visa fraud case. Law360
DM cancels licence of visa firm over fraud allegations. The Tribune
Eye on scams: passport renewal scams. KLFY
Feds: Afghan man in visa fraud case now linked to Haqqani Network, a ‘security risk’ fired as interpreter. WHEC
Fulton County court clerk under fire for collecting passport fees. Atlanta News First
Indian student loses $5,000 to scammers trying to avoid ‘arrest, deportation’. Hindustan Times
Passport application in Arizona exposes man accused of using dead baby’s identity. Arizona's Family
Student visa holder tricked by fake ICE agent scam, loses thousands. Newsweek
F. Five perspectives
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.
I wore sandals in front of the French consular (by
).Immigration as a tool of chaos, Palantir and digital ID (by
).Record student visa denials before Trump: 41% rejected in 2024 (by
).The economic case for immigration is dead (by
and ).- ).
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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