The Consular Newsletter (May 19-25, 2025)
This week, Washington, D.C. saw two Israeli embassy staffers shot dead, while the U.S. prepares to use AI for World Cup visa processing.
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
Africa
Sudanese embassy accused of ‘unlawful arrest’ of activist Tupac in Libya. Radio Dabanga
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
Korean resident of Japan sues hotel over unrequired passport check. Kyodo News
Europe
Faster visas ahead: Germany to end visa appeal process globally from July 1. Business Standard
Italy tightens rules for Italian descendants to become citizens. BBC
Multiple continents
Algeria accuses France of breaching diplomatic passport agreement. Middle East Monitor
Hundreds of passport applications exposed at diplomatic institution. Cybernews
My son was called an idiot after cocaine fell out of his passport at a Thai airport… but he was set up. Daily Mail
Pet passports: what are the rules for international animal travel, and how might they change? The Independent
U.S. Senator decries Trump plans to close Consulate in Thessaloniki. The National Herald
US immigration authorities appear to have begun deporting migrants to South Sudan, attorneys say. The Associated Press
US imposes visa bans on India travel agents for facilitating illegal migration. Reuters
US-German citizen charged with trying to bomb embassy building in Israel. USA Today
Middle East, Oceania, and Pacific Islands
Stay tuned for next week's newsletter.
D. The diplomatic and consular networks database and rankings
Consulate General of India proposes conversion of former offices into housing, San Francisco. San Francisco YIMBY
Kenya to formally open embassy in Rabat. Daily Nation
Preparations for opening of Russian Consulate General in Kapan underway. ARKA News Agency
US not ruling out reopening embassy in Syria. Middle East Eye
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
2 Pakistani nationals arrested in US for visa fraud, Kash Patel reacts. NDTV
Indian pleads guilty to visa scam, staging armed robberies across US. Indiawest Journal
Montgomery County man charged with possession of unauthorized access devices, aggravated identity theft, passport fraud, and tampering with witness. The Mocoshow
North Texans indicted on fraud, money laundering charges in ‘massive’ visa scheme. The Dallas Morning News
Outrage over state-enabled human trafficking and visa fraud disguised as Delegation to the 113th ILO Conference. Horn Observer
Tata Consultancy defeats whistleblower’s H-1B visa fraud lawsuit. Bloomberg Law
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.
Diaspora bingo (by
).Diaspora, exile and the politics of estrangement (by
).- ).
We never stop missing home: on food, colonialism, and diaspora (by
).- ).
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.