The Consular Newsletter (September 15-21, 2025)
This week, Sikhs for Justice urges a “siege” on India’s Vancouver consulate, while a former Liberian rebel general who mortared the U.S. Embassy is jailed for immigration fraud.
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
Chinese embassy in New Zealand complains about treatment of citizens at airport. Reuters
Khalistani outfit announces siege on Indian Consulate in Vancouver. NDTV
Korea to raise issue with US over rights abuses faced by detained workers. Hankyoreh
South Korea's top diplomats rush to U.S. amid mass detention, consulate vacancies. The Chosun Daily
Americas
‘Diplomatic abuse’: Brazil minister on US revoking his 10-year-old daughter’s visa. The Guardian
College student news editors face dilemma reporting visa holders’ names and photos. Iowa Capital Dispatch
Democrats slam proposal to give Marco Rubio the power to revoke passports. The Intercept
GOP lawmaker pulls measure to allow Marco Rubio to revoke US passports. The Guardian
Rubio: visa revocations ‘underway’ over Charlie Kirk assassination celebrations. The Hill
Trump is using visa cuts to bully African nations, some Nigerians say.
US revokes visas of Indian executives over fentanyl precursor trafficking. India Sentinels
US: Grenell threatens to revoke visa of German journalist. Deutsche Welle
Asia
Yoo Seung-jun's third visa lawsuit proceeds to appellate review. The Chosun Daily
Europe
Help! Aer Lingus wouldn’t let me fly because of a visa I didn’t need. The New York Times
Middle East
‘We pray a visa comes before death’: Gaza’s injured children left in limbo. The Guardian
Africa, Oceania, and Pacific Islands
Stay tuned for next week's newsletter.
D. The diplomatic and consular networks database and rankings
China releases regulations on management of Chinese employees of foreign diplomatic missions. Global Times
Netanyahu at Fiji's new Jerusalem embassy: 'welcome to our capital of last 3,000 years'. The Jerusalem Post
New Consulate opens in Osaka. Hungary Today
New U.S. Embassy in Ankara stuck in legal limbo amid Turkish land dispute. Middle East Forum
Polish opposition proposes moving Russian embassy for “security and symbolism”. Notes from Poland
Pro-Palestinian radicals target embassies – are they breaking the law? City Journal
The new Chinese embassy project: opportunity, not risk. Global Times
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
EFCC blames internet fraudsters for stricter visa restrictions against Nigerians. Nairametrics
Ex-Liberian general who attacked U.S. Embassy sentenced for immigration fraud, feds say. New Jersey
Fake Pakistan football team arrested in Japan, deported after visa scam sparks security alert. DNA
Hong Kong visa applicants used plagiarism, ghostwriters to game application process, court records allege. CBC
How an expired passport thwarted blackmail (and what other important documents you should keep). Kiplinger
Immigration judge rules Mahmoud Khalil to be deported to Syria or Algeria citing green card fraud: court docs. New York Post
Visa scam in Delhi: how four Nigerians forged visas and duped Indians. Business Standard
F. Perspectives
"If my father is alive, he must be rescued now" (by
)."You don't matter": the constitutional battle over passport gender rules (by The Justice Guy).
How Fonzi got a French passport (by
).I left my tears in San Francisco: or, we (mostly) survive our first consulate appointment (by
).Jay-Jay Feeny's visa fiasco (by
).New bill threatens travel rights (by
).Passport privilege: writing your own story (by
).Pumpkin spice & passport stamps (by
).- ).
Swazi activists protest deportation deal (by
).- ).
Washington’s new visa weapon targets India’s energy choices (by
).White visa overstayers swamp America! (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.
Thank you for the mention! 🤗