Coming August 15: Onerous new rules for expats and their non-US relatives

Per an email I received from the head of the French chapter of Democrats Abroad, as of this Monday, August 15th, the US State Department will no longer allow US consular services to process visas for the non-US family members of expats in many countries, including France. This means that instead of an expedited process, all such persons will have to apply by mail, with resulting delays, risk of losing important papers, and so on.