The Consular Newsletter (September 08-14, 2025)
This week, the U.S. threatens visa actions against foreigners praising Charlie Kirk’s killing, while Britain’s Cairo embassy shutters after security blocks were removed.
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
‘They like the chaos’: Australians caught up in sudden US visa changes. The Sydney Morning Herald
Belarus releases 52 prisoners after Trump appeal, US embassy in Lithuania says. USA Today
France may expel Israeli diplomats, limit Mossad activity if Jerusalem consulate closes. Ynet
Hyundai should have called me for visas, Lutnick says. Axios
It was a failing temple. Then it started offering God’s help in getting a visa. The Wall Street Journal
NASA bans Chinese visa scientists. Billings Local News
President says South Korean companies will hesitate to invest in US without better visa system. Politico
Researcher Elizabeth Tsurkov released from captivity, at US embassy in Iraq, Trump says. Ynet
Ukraine embassy responds to Iryna Zarutska stabbing in Charlotte. Newsweek
Workers say Korea Inc was warned about questionable US visas before Hyundai raid. Reuters
Americas
‘Send them home’: most of FL Cabinet support revoking visas for those praising Charlie Kirk’s death. Florida Phoenix
An absolute nightmare': Trump’s overhaul of legal immigration is alarming critics. Houston Chronicle
Atlanta activists help black, trans, and queer Americans acquire passports. Assigned Media
California woman can't return to family as U.S. consulates delay more immigration cases, attorneys allege. NBC News
Chicagoans change routines as immigration crackdown looms. Some carry passports and avoid stores. The Associated Press
Georgia ICE raid netted workers with short-term business visas. The New York Times
Getting a visa to visit the U.S. could take even longer. The New York Times
iOS 26's new U.S. passport feature is still not available. MacRumors
Lawsuit says Musk's Tesla hires visa holders instead of Americans so it can pay less. Reuters
New bill would give Marco Rubio “thought police” power to revoke U.S. passports. The Intercept
Trans passports ordered. Courthouse News Service
Trucking companies face worker shortage after visa cuts. FOX 10 Phoenix
U.S. seeks to denaturalize man who lied about being Cuban to get citizenship. NBC 6 South Florida
US threatens action against foreigners praising Kirk killing. Reuters
Asia
Taiwanese man in China destroys passport on livestream. Taiwan News
Tunisian clinics halt admission of Libyan patients due to debts. The Libya Observer
Africa, Europe, Middle East, Oceania, and Pacific Islands
Stay tuned for next week's newsletter.
D. The diplomatic and consular networks database and rankings
Approving China embassy would be unlawful, UK government told. BBC
British Embassy building in Cairo temporarily shuts after Egypt removes concrete security blocks. The Jerusalem Post
China cannot be ignored, Britain's trade minister says, as row over embassies clouds ties. Reuters
Trump envoy tells Belarus: We want to reopen our embassy in Minsk soon and normalise ties. Reuters
UAE said weighing Qatari request to close Emirati embassy in Tel Aviv over Doha strike. The Times of Israel
Watchdog questions millions spent each year on shuttered US Embassy in Venezuela. The Associated Press
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
Gkp man’s arrest at Mum airport exposes fake passport scam. Hindustan Times
HK immigration scam targets rental agreements for visa fraud. The Standard
Man booked for duping 17 students, job seekers in visa scam. The Times of India
Man jailed for eight months over fake passport and residence permit. Newsbook Malta
S. Korea uncovers massive SIM fraud operation using foreign residents' passports. The Korea Herald
F. Perspectives
How dictators hunt enemies abroad (by
).MAGA’s lawless detentions of Canadians (by
).New bill that you lose your passport if you criticize Israel (by
).ORCID and me: a researcher’s passport across time, a journey in three acts (by
).- ).
- ).
Saving up for a New Zealand passport, plus (by
).Second judge rules Trump trans passport ban likely unconstitutional "under any standard of review (by
).State Department warns: foreigners who mock Charlie Kirk’s assassination could lose visas (by
).Stop crowdsourcing your visa application, this isn’t a bake off (by
).- ).
The transparent passport: blockchain’s role in travel’s future (by
).Trump begging South Korea to forget that one time he imprisoned all their workers (by
).Where's your passport right now? (by
).
The views expressed are solely those of the author(s), not of 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 solely those of the author(s), not of the Center.