The Consular Newsletter (February 17 – March 02, 2025)

Every Monday, the consular newsletter compiles the latest major news on consular affairs and diplomatic networks.

Contents

A. Consular affairs

B. The diplomatic and consular networks database and rankings

C. Passports, visas, and migration fraud

D. Honorary consuls

E. Help the Consular Affairs Center

Americas

• Attorneys are suing to keep 10 migrants out of Guantanamo Bay as others say they were abused there. Associated Press
• Border czar makes the city of Boston his latest immigration target. Associated Press
• Cobb County Superior Court clerk to repay nearly $84K in passport fees. Fox 5 Atlanta
• Rubio should designate U.S. Consulate in Nuuk as an independent post. High North News
• Trump sees ‘a thirst’ for his ‘gold card’ visa idea with $5 million potential path to US citizenship. Associated Press

Asia

• Thai police collaborate with 18 embassies to repatriate call centre scam victims. The Nation

Europe

• Two French physicists sentenced to eight months in jail over Russian consulate attack. Le Monde

Oceania and Pacific Islands

• Buy a passport, save a nation? Nauru’s unique plan to fight climate change. Euronews

Multiple geographical areas

• Foreign Ministry says Isa Serra received “consular assistance” after being detained in Western Sahara. The Diplomat in Spain
• Nigeria’s Invictus Games hopes dashed as seven athletes were denied Canadian visas. Arise News

Africa and Middle East

• Stay tuned for next week's newsletter.

In Africa

• France willing to expand consular presence to Sahara – Senate President. The North Africa Post

In Asia

• India reportedly agrees to accept Taliban envoy without diplomatic status. Amu TV
• US to cut size of diplomatic mission in China by up to 10%, SCMP reports. Reuters

In Europe

• China wants tunnel, basement rooms at planned London ‘mega-embassy’. Radio Free Asia
• Four US consulates in France identified as facing possible closure under Trump. The Connexion
• In giant Chinese Embassy in London, opponents see long arm of Beijing. The New York Times
• Initial steps' identified — US comments on Istanbul talks with Russia about embassy operations. The Kyiv Independent
• Trump to urge Starmer against granting permission for Chinese ‘super embassy’. The Telegraph
• US could close consulate in Florence, report claims. The Local
• US lawmakers issue warning about China’s planned new London embassy. Financial Times

In Middle East

• Azerbaijani Embassy in Syria resumes operations after 13 yrs. Mehr News Agency
• Saudi Arabia reopens consulate general in Mashhad, northeastern Iran. Iran Front Page

In multiple geographical areas

• Afghanistan’s 12 embassies, two consulates still operated by former government diplomats. Amu TV
• Trump cut lifesaving foreign aid as State Department planned to buy expensive art for embassies. PBS News

In Americas, Oceania, and Pacific Islands

• Stay tuned for next week's newsletter.

Africa

• Attorney jailed for ‘large-scale’ immigration fraud on Caribbean immigrants. The Gleaner
• Pastor in trouble over alleged GH￠310,000 visa fraud. Ghanaian Times

Americas

• How a mistaken video call from an auto exposed a US visa fraud. The Economic Times
• Trump’s ‘gold card’ visa could invite fraud, national security risks: expert. Fox News

Asia

• FIA arrests former ASF official in visa fraud case. Associated Press of Pakistan
• Passport agent who sent 80 abroad on fake papers held. The Times of India

Multiple geographical areas

• ED raids Punjab-based firms for visa fraud amid US deportations. India Today
• Gujarati man tries to enter US with stolen Pakistani passport, deported. NDTV
• New Zealand visa fraud: how a Gujarat agent duped 7, swindled Rs 71 lakh. Business Standard
• Think you have a Schengen visa appointment? You might be tricked. FTN News
• UK launches visa fraud awareness campaign for Indian citizens. The Statesman
• VFS Global warns travelers about visa scams. Back End News
• Whistleblowers say major outsourcing company engaged in “Cover up” to hide visa fraud. FAIR

Europe, Middle East, Oceania, and Pacific Islands

• Stay tuned for next week's newsletter.

• Honorary Consul for Sierra Leone resigns in protest of country's detention of Calgary woman. Calgary Herald

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