The Consular Newsletter (January 20-26, 2025)

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

[Consular affairs]

Americas

• 1 dead, several wounded in Haiti after armed gangs target consular corp armored vehicles. Miami Herald
• Change to birthright citizenship would affect visa holders, too. The New York Times
• Colombian President rejects U.S. deportation flights, demands ‘dignity’ protocol; U.S. Embassy responds with visa section closure. VINnews
• Immigration lawyer: Trump's quick-moving deportation plans leave little time for people to understand their rights. MPR News
• Krishnamoorthi, immigration lawyer discuss Trump executive orders during virtual town hall. Chicago Tribune
• Mexico launches ConsulApp Contigo for nationals facing deportation and detention in the U.S. AZPM
• Missouri man charged for impersonating immigration agent, demanded victim show visa. KRCG
• UFC Fight Night 250 loses main card fight over passport issues. MMA Junkie
• New State Department policy bans embassies from flying Pride flag. Washington Blade
• Rubio orders State Department to stop issuing accurate passports to trans people. The Intercept
• The real economics of visas and tariffs. Boston Review
• Trump two-gender edict would upend ‘X’ identity on passports. CNN

Asia

• A valid passport and visa were once mandatory at this Indian railway station. Times of India
• New E-6 visa typically takes two to three months to process. The Korea Herald
• Turkish Cypriots gain access to Turkey’s consular services Cyprus Mail

Multiple geographical areas

• Afghanistan’s Envoy in France: Taliban halts consular services in bid for Embassy control. The Khaama Press News Agency
• Brazilians protest outside Portuguese consulates over visa delays. Portugal Resident
• Chinese nationals ignore embassy warnings in gold rush to DRC’s troubled east South China Morning Post
• Fake consular agents targeting Iranians in U.S., Canada, Iran warns. Tehran Times
• Irish immigration lawyer in Chicago “inundated” amidst reports of potential 'raids'. Irish Central
• Viral Video: Indian diaspora and Pro-Khalistan group engage in verbal duel outside Indian High Commission In London. Mint
• Trump aid freeze strands Afghan visa holders in Albania. Reuters

Africa, Europe, Middle East, Oceania, and Pacific Islands

• Stay tuned for next week's newsletter.

[The Diplomatic and Consular Networks Database and Rankings]

In Americas

• Haitian gang shoots up crowded U.S. embassy van, wounding at least one employee. Miami Herald

In Asia

• Chinese 'espionage' ops 'baseless speculation and accusation' —Chinese Embassy. GMA News Online
• Taliban to send 3 more diplomats to Afghan Embassy in Delhi, reports The Sunday Guardian. Afghanistan International

In Europe

• “It could become an espionage hub”! China’s ‘Super Embassy’ plans In UK gets human rights group worried. Eurasian Times
• Inside new $1,000,000,000 mega fortress US embassy 10 times bigger than London’s. Metro
• How Irish solidarity with Palestine forced the closure of the Israeli embassy. The Hindu

In Middle East

• Turkish Consulate General in Aleppo reopens after 13-year closure. Turkish Minute

In multiple geographical areas

• Nepal to open new consulate general offices in Dallas, San Francisco and Dubai. The Katmandhu Post

In Africa, Oceania, and Pacific Islands

• Stay tuned for next week's newsletter.

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