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Russia Accuses US of Forcing Citizenship on Diplomats' Children

Russia has accused the US State Department of unlawfully granting American citizenship to children of Russian diplomats born in the United States. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova wrote that US authorities are invoking "birthright citizenship" to automatically register such children. She argued this practice contradicts international law and the will of the parents. Russia demands that the US confirm newborns are not under US jurisdiction.

Key Points: Russia: US Illegally Grants Citizenship to Diplomats' Kids

  • Russia accuses US of unlawfully granting citizenship to diplomats' children
  • Moscow says it violates international norms and bilateral practice
  • US invoking 'birthright citizenship' for automatic registration
  • Russia demands confirmation that newborns are not under US jurisdiction
2 min read

Russia accuses US of wrongly granting citizenship to diplomats' children

Russia accuses the US State Department of unlawfully granting citizenship to children of Russian diplomats, violating international norms and diplomatic practice.

"The deep state in the United States has created a new problem to pressure Russian diplomats - Maria Zakharova"

Moscow, May 4

Russia on Monday accused the US State Department of unlawfully granting American citizenship to children of Russian diplomats born in the United States, a move Moscow says violates international norms and bilateral diplomatic practice.

In Vedomosti, a Russian business daily, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova wrote that US authorities were invoking "birthright citizenship" to automatically register such children as US citizens, Xinhua news agency reported.

"The State Department, or those behind the facade of American diplomacy, have begun to extend US citizenship to children of employees of Russian consulates born within US jurisdiction-literally by force-under the pretext of the constitutionally enshrined 'right of the soil' and the allegedly limited nature of consular immunity," Zakharova wrote in a column for Vedomosti.

She argued that this practice contradicts international and national law, the policy of US President Donald Trump, and the will of the parents.

"The deep state in the United States has created a new problem to pressure Russian diplomats, disregarding the fact that this is becoming a glaring example of the decline of the so-called 'American democracy'," she said.

Zakharova recalled that US legislation clearly excludes the right of diplomats' children to obtain US citizenship through "birthright citizenship."

In her view, the US State Department aims to undermine Trump's anti-immigration policies and the process of eliminating "friction points" in Russia-US relations, while also using the children's citizenship as a pretext to put pressure on Russian diplomats.

"The Russian side does not recognize the imposition of American citizenship on Russian citizens born in the families of our diplomatic, administrative, technical and consular staff in the United States. We will demand that the Americans confirm that the newborn is not under US jurisdiction," she added.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sneha F
This is classic US exceptionalism—thinking their laws override everything else. I'm with Russia on this one. Diplomatic immunity exists for a reason, and children of diplomats shouldn't be automatically enrolled in host country's citizenship. It's a sovereignty issue. India should take note for our own diplomats abroad.
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Michael C
As an American living in India, I can see both sides. The 14th Amendment is clear about birthright citizenship, but diplomats are explicitly exempt in US law. This seems like another deep state vs Trump battle being played out through diplomats' kids. Sad that children become political pawns in this power game. 😔
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Ravi K
Russia calling out US for violating norms? Irony much? But seriously, this is a valid concern. As someone who has seen Indian families struggle with OCI and dual citizenship issues, I understand why countries want clear rules. US should respect diplomatic protocols instead of imposing citizenship like this. 🤔
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Rohit L
The "deep state" argument aside, Zakharova has a solid legal point. US law itself excludes diplomats' children from birthright citizenship. So why would the State Department do this? Either they're incompetent or intentionally provoking Russia. Either way, not good for bilateral relations. Waste of time when there are real issues to solve.
K
Kavya N
Reading this as an Indian woman, I feel for the Russian families caught in this mess. Imagine your newborn being made a citizen of a country you don't want them attached to! The US needs to respect diplomatic protocols. We Indians have enough experience with bureaucratic absurdity—this sounds like another unnecessary complication. 😐

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