The Consular Newsletter (May 12-18, 2025)

This week, Poland moved to shut down the Russian consulate in Krakow, reportedly linked to an arson attack, while U.S. embassies have warned of permanent bans for providing false visa information.

May 20, 2025

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 May 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

Africa

Court denies Charles Bissue’s request for passport release. MyJoyOnline

Americas

Aggressive immigration enforcement makes musicians rethink U.S. tours. OPB
An overview of the Department of State’s new ‘catch-and-revoke’ visa policy. The National Law Review
At least eight more international politicians face visa bans as extent of US dragnet emerges. Daily Mail
Baja California governor says US revoked her visa. Fox 59
FBI warns of scam targeting student visa holders in US. Newsweek
Gov't fights expansion of transgender passport ruling. Law360
Nationwide outage affecting US passport verification. WGN9
NM Supreme Court rules alleged crime victims don’t need to disclose visa applications. Source NM
The reason why Chocolate has not been deported to Cuba yet. CiberCuba
Trump administration plans to deploy hundreds more federal agents to ramp up immigration enforcement across the country. CNN
U.S. Embassy warns of 'permanent ban' on travel. Men's Journal
Yandy Díaz placed on restricted list due to passport issues. MLB

Asia

Haryana YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra arrested for espionage linked to Pakistan High Commission. The Bridge Chronicle

Europe

Author denied UK visa unable to attend premiere of play based on his memoir. The Guardian
No more passport stamps: EU launches biometric border system in 2025. The 420
PM promises migration drop as he unveils plans for 'tightened' visa rules. BBC
Poland to close Russian consulate in Krakow, citing arson attack. Reuters

Multiple continents

British citizen sentenced to 10 years in Saudi prison over deleted tweet. Boing Boing
China grants visa-free entry to some of Latin America's biggest economies. Reuters
Chinese Embassy in UK issues safety alert following multiple reports of missing Chinese citizens. Global Times
France says it will file a court complaint against Iran over citizens' detention. The Straits Times
India joins Mexico, Canada, US, Brazil, France, Italy, Japan and more in launching new chip-based e-passports as they become the global travel standard. Travel and Tour World
Indian-origin man's controversial call to end H-1B Visas sparks uproar on social media. Hindustan Times
Sudan says UAE expelled, mistreated most Dubai consulate staff. Sudan Tribune

Middle East, Oceania, and Pacific Islands

Stay tuned for next week's newsletter.

D. The diplomatic and consular networks database and rankings

In Americas

Venezuelan opposition figure describes brazen escape from embassy siege in Caracas. Miami Herald

In Asia

Chinese govt. bought land in Itaewon not far from future US Embassy site: report. The Korea Herald
Honduran Foreign Minister Enrique Reina arrives in Delhi for embassy inauguration. ANI
Pakistan High Commission staffer expelled for espionage, linked to case on leak of Army movements. The Hindu
Woman among 2 held in Punjab on espionage charges for Pakistan official at Delhi’s High Commission. The Indian Express
Zambia's consulate office opens in Dhaka. Somoy News

In Europe

Stockholm v Trump: 'If US embassy wanted a building permit, they would have a problem'. The Local

In Middle East

Morocco to reopen embassy in Syria, closed since 2012. Yabiladi
Nigerian envoy seeks funds for new embassy building in Ankara. Punch
PM Barzani visits new U.S. Consulate in Erbil ahead of grand opening. Kurdistan24

In Africa, Oceania, and Pacific Islands

Stay tuned for next week's newsletter.

E. Passport, visas, and migration fraud

Diplomatic Security Service catches Peruvian call center criminal wanted for fraud and extortion in the United States. United States Department of State
FBI warns of scam demanding students pay to fix their immigration status or else. CNET
Gujarat: Ahmedabad Crime Branch busts passport racket for illegal Bangladeshi immigrants. Social News XYZ
Passport, visa forgery racket busted in Hyderabad. The Siasat Daily
Scammers on social media duplicating immigration lawyers' profiles. Spectrum News 1
US cracks down on visa fraud and illegal immigration in new interagency drive. The Times of India
Using stolen identities, Balkan gangsters armed themselves with Bosnian passports. OCCRP
West Bengal police uncovers massive fake passport racket involving non-existent individuals. The Commune

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.

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.

The Consular Newsletter