The Consular Newsletter (September 01-07, 2025)
This week, a U.S. visa crackdown leads to 475 arrests at a Hyundai plant in Georgia, while Israel's premier considers closing the French Consulate in Jerusalem.
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. Perspectives. G. Get daily news. H. Supporting consular research: in appreciation of our partners
A. Announcements
Got an analysis, perspective, or story to share? The Consular Magazine explores migration and travel, particularly where government policy, action, or diplomacy plays a role. Open to all, from students and young professionals to seasoned experts. Interested? The Center warmly welcomes your writings.
If you are a media professional wishing to contribute to The Diplomatic and Consular Networks Database and Rankings, or an organization interested in partnering, feel free to contact the Center.
B. Video of the week
C. Consular affairs
Multiple continents
Car smashes through gates at Russian consulate in Sydney’s eastern suburbs. The Sydney Morning Herald
Resale ‘subterfuge’: Viagogo sent fan his tickets along with a stranger’s passport. The Guardian
U.S. suspends visas for Palestinian passport holders: what to know. Time
US considers banning Iranians from shopping at Costco during UN meeting. The Associated Press
With door to U.N. slammed shut, Palestinians urge U.S. to drop visa ban. The New York Times
Americas
As academic year begins, visa delays felt in and out of classroom. The Chronicle
Court rejects Trump administration transgender passport appeal. The Hill
Inside the raid: how a monthslong federal immigration operation led to 475 arrests at a Hyundai plant in Georgia. CNN
Melania Trump's immigration lawyer condemns white house visa move. Newsweek
New York’s consulates bring in the world. City & State
Right-wing media redouble attacks on the H-1B visa program. Media Matters for America
Traveling to the U.S.? New ‘visa integrity fee’ will cost $250, and up to $15,000 with bonds. Forbes
US appeals court rejects Trump bid to restore passport policy targeting transgender people. Reuters
US immigration to form new police force to probe visa applications. Newsweek
Asia
Australian embassy issues warning after tourist drinks offering at Japanese burial site. The Independent
The stateless sisters caught between India and Pakistan. BBC
Africa, Europe, Middle East, Oceania, and Pacific Islands
Stay tuned for next week's newsletter.
D. The diplomatic and consular networks database and rankings
Aurora in contention for new South Korean consulate. Westword
Department spent over €1m on St Patrick's Day events at Irish embassies and consulates. Irish Examiner
Egypt to remove barriers around foreign embassies. Egyptian Streets
French teen arrested for plotting attack on Israel, US embassies. Jewish News Syndicate
International relations: Indian consulate finds a home in Los Angeles. Downtown Los Angeles
Iran MOIS phishes 50+ embassies, ministries, int'l orgs. Dark Reading
Israeli premier to consider closing French Consulate in Jerusalem. Anadolu Agency
Live an ambassador's life: former embassy near London’s Hyde Park on sale for £10m. The National
Republic of Mauritius opens embassy in Japan. Mitsui O.S.K. Lines
UK Embassy in Egypt reopens following brief shutdown over diplomatic tensions. Anadolu Agency
Do you have any information on recent openings or closures of embassies, high commissions, consular posts, or permanent missions? Feel free to update the database.
E. Passport, visas, and migration fraud
"We'll give you a visa": scammers use the name asylum access to deceive migrants. Factchequeado
$18M alien smuggling, asylum fraud ring uncovered operating across Florida and beyond. CBS 12 News
Brazilian State of Paraná launches blockchain car passport to curb fraud. CoinTrust
Fake visa scam busted, mastermind held in Surat. NDTV Profit
Federal prosecutors say immigration services business 'a sham'. Smuggled thousands of Cubans to US. WLRN Public
Foreigners face prison after passport fraud attempts in Cancún. Yucatán Magazine
Mexican national living in Kaukauna indicted for alleged passport fraud. WFRV Local 5
F. Perspectives
Appeals court upholds injunction blocking Trump's trans passport ban (by
).Behind the Egyptian embassy protests (by
).Developer of 'Relooted' denied entry into United States to promote game (by
).Don’t waste time on “visa experts” — hire an attorney (by
).Harold ~ The Invictus Games grant, the Netflix Diana documentary, and the 'visa' issue (by
).Hostage diplomacy with Chinese characteristics (by
).Iranian hackers turn 100 plus embassy inboxes into diplomatic lures (by
).Is Somalia ready for e-visa? (by
).Preventing hostage diplomacy and the politics of numbers (by
).The passport identifier is pointless punishment (by
).Travel emergencies: what to learn from misfortune 😱 (by
).- ).
Visa mistakes that could derail your move (and how to avoid them) (by
).Visa to freedom (by
).
The views expressed are those of the authors only and not the Center.
G. 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.
H. Supporting consular research: in appreciation of our partners
Incubating partner: Yonsei University.
Individual support is also possible via a donation. Your generosity helps a lot. Thank you very much.
Acknowledgment: we are grateful to the news sources that contributed to bringing you this week's highlights. The views expressed are those of the authors only and not the Center.