The Consular Newsletter (March 24-30, 2025)
Among this week's developments, the Trump administration revokes student visas, while declassified FBI documents reveal a CIA break-in at the French Embassy during the JFK era.
Contents
A. Video of the week
B. Consular affairs
C. The diplomatic and consular networks database and rankings
D. Passports, visas, and migration fraud
E. 5 Substacks
F. Honorary consuls
G. Get daily news
H. Support consular research
I. Thanks
A. Video of the week
B. Consular affairs
Americas
Deportation halted for Tufts student whose visa Rubio says was revoked due to activism. ABC News
Federal judge hears case that challenges Trump passport executive order. Washington Blade
Luigi Mangione’s backpack held gun, passport during arrest. NewsNation
Map shows US embassies posting warnings to people applying for visas. Newsweek
Rubio says he has revoked 300 or more visas in Trump’s deportation push. The New York Times
State Department warns hundreds of foreign students by email that they are no longer legal. The Sun
Trump is trying to deter us from representing immigrants in court. It won’t work. Immigration Impact
Tufts says international student taken into US custody, visa revoked. Reuters
Venezuelan migrants deported by the US ended up in a Salvadoran prison. This is their legal status. Associated Press
Asia
China, Russia cooperate on rescuing grounded Chinese cargo ship near Sakhalin Island. Xinhua News Agency
Indian consulate official recalled amid claims of discrimination, Chinese spy accusations. Mail & Guardian
JATA to promote overseas travel by subsidizing passport fees. The Asahi Shimbun
Scammers posing as police officers from China targeting Chinese community, SFPD warns. Fox KTVU
Europe
From passports to furniture: how swiss design continues to shape our world. Yanko Design
Is the British passport now the world’s most expensive? Not quite. The Telegraph
Middle East
Turkish authorities detain 12 suspects in attack on Iraqi Consulate in Istanbul. Kurdistan24
Multiple continents
"Have zero tolerance": US cancels 2,000 visa appointments by "bots" in India. NDTV
‘It’s quite embarrassing’: China-bound United flight turns around after pilot forgets passport. CNN
Leave America! Indian and other students face visa revocations even for an Insta 'like'. The Economic Times
Liberal MP apologizes for suggesting Tory candidate be turned over to Chinese consulate for Hong Kong bounty. National Post
Man pained as fiancée reportedly destroys his passport days before he relocates abroad. Tuko
This artist creates fake passports that deconstruct colonial narratives. Forbes
US citizen detained in Afghanistan by Taliban released to Qatari embassy. The Guardian
US Embassy tells US doctor in Gaza ‘Not our role’ to protect them from Israeli bombings. Zeteo
Africa, Oceania, and Pacific Islands
Stay tuned for next week's newsletter.
C. The diplomatic and consular networks database and rankings
In Africa
Norway temporarily closes Embassy in South Sudan due to escalating violence. Arise News
In Americas
Ex-President Martinelli gets Panama’s permission to take asylum in Nicaragua. Associated Press
FBI reports reveal CIA break-in at French Embassy during JFK administration. Sri Lanka Guardian
US lawmaker urges Tinubu to establish Nigerian consulate in Chicago. Punch
In Asia
Kazakhstan ratifies lease deal for US consulate raising in its Almaty. Trend News Agency
US Embassy to open in Taliban soon, claim government sources. News18
In Europe
‘It is so expensive in Dublin we decided to rent’: Swedish embassy returns to capital. The Irish Times
In Middle East
Paris finalises Damascus embassy dream team. Intelligence Online
In Oceania and Pacific Islands
Stay tuned for next week's newsletter.
D. Passport, visas, and migration fraud
Americas
Former Haitian mayor Jean Morose Viliena found guilty of visa fraud. The Boston Globe
Man indicted for passport fraud in Arizona after using name of child who died in the 1960s. 12News
U.S. Consulate meets with Michigan couple detained in Cancun as fraud allegations continue. ClickOnDetroit
Asia
Applications for forgery-proof passports start in Japan. The Japan Times
Bangladeshi couple found guilty after 20-year immigration and identity fraud. The New Zealand Herald
Multiple continents
Secret filming reveals brazen tactics of immigration scammers. BBC
Africa, Europe, Middle East, Oceania, and Pacific Islands
Stay tuned for next week's newsletter.
E. 5 Substacks
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.
Liberal MP Calls for CCP Bounty on Conservative Candidate—and Carney Says Nothing (The Opposition News Network by Dan Knight)
The German Consulate in Hamburg, Germany is About to be Shut Down (Linda on Life Abroad by Linda Weide)
The Passport Paradox and Voter Registration (The Politics Chicks)
Trump Admin Spies on Social Media of Student Visa Holders (by Ken Klippenstein).
World on Fire, Passport Packed (Continuous Line Storytelling by Meagan Burns)
F. Honorary consuls
The Consular Affairs Center provides tailored reports for worldwide honorary consuls. Contact the Center to learn more.
G. Get daily news
Consular affairs via Bluesky, Facebook, KakaoTalk, Line, LinkedIn, Telegram, Threads, Viber, VK, WhatsApp, and X
The diplomatic and consular networks database and rankings via LinkedIn
Passports, visas, and migration fraud via LinkedIn
H. Support consular research
On the first of every month, this paid section complements the free Consular Newsletter with the Consular Research Briefing. Though the content is modest, your support is essential in fostering the Consular Affairs Center and amplifying the visibility of researchers. Thank you very much.
Subscribe: link.
I. Thanks
Incubating partner: Yonsei University.
We are grateful to the news sources that contributed to bringing you this week's highlights.