The Consular Newsletter (May 18-24, 2026)
This week, the United States steps up airport Ebola screening, while Israel weighs opening an embassy in Somaliland in a reciprocal move.
The essential news on consular affairs, diplomacy, migration, security, and travel for professionals and researchers / This week, the United States steps up airport Ebola screening, while Israel weighs opening an embassy in Somaliland in a reciprocal move.
A. Announcements
Do you have an analysis, essay, opinion, or story to share on consular affairs, diplomacy, migration, security, or travel? The Consular Magazine is open to all, from students to professionals and researchers.
Media and research organizations can contribute to The Diplomatic and Consular Networks Database and Rankings.
B. Video of the week
C. Consular affairs
Multiple continents
‘Entry into the Kyrgyz Republic is closed’: US professor denied entry to Kyrgyzstan. The Diplomat
9 deportees from US arrive in Sierra Leone under third-country agreement. PBS News
Ex-judges sound alarm about feds ‘micromanaging’ immigration courts. The New Bedford Light
In Greenland, protesters denounce opening of bigger U.S. Consulate. The New York Times
Iran to base World Cup camp in Mexico after switch from Arizona. Reuters
Iran’s World Cup team arrives in Turkiye amid US visa uncertainty. Al Jazeera
Iran-backed Kata’ib Hezbollah Commander charged in Toronto Consulate, synagogue attacks. The Medialine
Iranian family detained for relative’s key role in 1979 US Embassy hostage crisis seeks release. Bozeman Daily Chronicle
Nasir Ahmad Andisha: Taliban efforts to take control of Afghan consulates in Europe are concerning. Hasht-e Subh Daily
Philippine consulate should be serving its people, not UC Berkeley. The Daily Californian
The U.S. threatens to revoke the Palestinian U.N. ambassador’s visa. NPR
US launches charm offensive in Greenland with chocolates and Trump caps. Euractiv
Africa
Ghana authorities postpone evacuation of citizens from South Africa ova xenophobia afta number increase from 300 to 800. BBC
Ghana High Commission denies abandoning man at OR Tambo Airport in evacuation row. Modern Ghana
Americas
American tests positive for Ebola; U.S. to screen travelers at airports. The Washington Post
Confusion and worry after abrupt change to Green Card process. The New York Times
Kate Cassidy breaks down in tears after claiming TSA agent denied her passport because photo didn’t match her appearance. People
More Americans inquiring about Canadian citizenship due to Bill C-3: Immigration lawyers. Global News
Most people seeking green cards must now apply from outside US. BBC
Trump’s face doesn’t belong on U.S. passport, senators tell Rubio. CNBC
US to revoke passports over unpaid child support, warning issued to delinquent parents. Caribbean National Weekly
Asia
Arrest of 69 Chinese workers alarms embassy. Philstar
FIA warns citizens against obtaining multiple passports. Pakistan Today
Official found dead at Indian Mission in Bangladesh, autopsy awaited. NDTV
Tourist police join foreign networks to boost Pattaya safety. The Nation
Europe
Europe’s visa backlog crisis: what’s really going on. TNT Magazine
Greens candidate claims she was told to withdraw over student visa. BBC
Middle East
‘Except Israel’ to be reinstated in passports. The Daily Star
Oceania and Pacific Islands
Stay tuned for next week’s newsletter.
D. Honorary consuls
Stay tuned for next week’s newsletter.
E. The diplomatic and consular networks database and rankings
Arab League condemns Somaliland’s plan to open embassy in occupied al-Quds. Press TV
Chad: opening Consulate General in Benghazi marks a new step toward strengthening ties with Libya. The Libya Observer
Foreign minister opens new Swiss embassy in Athens. SwissInfo
Israel said weighing closure of Istanbul consulate, left empty for over 2 years. The Times of Israel
Official reopening of the Haitian Embassy in Benin. Haiti Libre
Rubio inaugurates new consular wing in New Delhi embassy for stricter visa screening ‘to protect US borders’. Firstpost
Somaliland says it will open an Embassy in Jerusalem, Israel to reciprocate. Haaretz
F. Passport, visas, and migration fraud
‘Tali Shani’ passport used in Mike Ozekhome’s London property case was forged – Witness. Premium Times
Attorney lifts veil on jay peak visa fraud recovery efforts. Law360
Domino’s franchise banned from hiring migrant workers for 12 months after visa breach. New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment
Ex-staff say university fired them for raising visa concerns. Law360
Six Nigerians arrested over alleged romance scams, visa overstays in Thailand. Peoples Gazette
The modern passport has eliminated fraud, forgery, and heroes who can bend the rules to save lives. Reason
Vance: DOJ probing Ilhan Omar for immigration fraud, sys ‘Something fishy’ in marriage allegations. VINnews
G. The passport and visa database and rankings
Green Cards: USCIS Says H-1B Visa workers may not have to leave US to apply. Newsweek
Thailand cuts visa-free stay period for more than 90 countries including UK. BBC
More: TBA.
H. Consular jobs and internships
Canada in Makati, Philippines / Consular Assistant (deadline: May 27)
United Kingdom in Perth, Australia / Consular Services Officer (deadline: May 31)
More: link.
I. Migration laws, regulations, and policies
[Japan] 在留カード等読取アプリケーション/失効情報照会 サポートページ. MOJ / ISA
[United States] U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will grant ‘Adjustment of status’ only in extraordinary circumstances. DHS / USCIS
More: link.
J. Perspectives
Adjustment of status versus immigrant visa processing: the role of temporary intent (by Robert Webber)
America’s immigration shift: Green Card applicants may soon be forced to leave the U.S. (by GEA Talent)
Are you an expat or an immigrant? (by Ellie is Based in Paris)
Argentina: the passport everyone’s talking about (by Alessandro Palombo)
Basic migration falls to the tens of thousands (by Fraser Nelson)
H-1B visa workers are not undercutting US peers (by Yash Kumar Singhal)
How Australia actually selects and integrates migrants (by Joseph Noel Walker)
Inside the influence network of Iran’s diplomatic missions on X (by Factnameh)
Inside the new immigration shockwave: what Trump’s reported Green Card policy shift could mean for millions (by The Allen Analysis)
Passport applications and a furious ex-husband. What could go wrong? (by Shaunna Lee)
The Vatican’s medals and the Iran diplomatic controversy (by Borgo Pio)
The weight of a passport and the art of the side-step (by Dominus Owen Markham)
USCIS told people they have to leave the US for a green card. Is that true? (by Karen Crawford)
K. Get daily news
Bluesky, Facebook, KakaoTalk, Line, LinkedIn, Mastodon, Substack, Telegram, Threads, Viber, VK, WhatsApp, and X for consular affairs.
LinkedIn for consular jobs and internships.
LinkedIn for honorary consuls.
LinkedIn for migration, laws, regulations, and policies.
LinkedIn for passports, visas, and migration fraud.
LinkedIn for the diplomatic and consular networks database and rankings.
LinkedIn for the passport and visa database and rankings.
K. Partners
Incubating partner: Yonsei University. Country research partner for The Diplomatic and Consular Networks Database and Rankings: (Albania) Albanian Institute for International Studies.
The views expressed are solely those of the author(s), not of the Center.


Thank so much for the mention!