Russia: US wrongly granting citizenship to diplomats’ kids

Moscow: Russia on Monday accused the State Dept of unlawfully granting Ameri­can citizenship to children of Russian diplomats born in the US. Moscow claims this move violates international norms and bilateral diplomatic practice. Writing in the business daily Vedomosti, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova stated that US authorities are invoking “birthright citizenship” to automatically register such children as US citizens.

Zakharova argued the State Department is extending citizenship to children of consulate employees “literally by force” under the pretext of the “right of the soil”. 

She contended that this contradicts international law, the will of the parents, and the policies of President Donald Trump. According to Zakha­rova, the “deep state” in the US has created this problem to pressure Russian diplomats, calling it a sign of the “decline of American democracy”.

She noted US legislation excludes the right of diplomats’ children to obtain citizenship via birthright. 

Zakharova believes the State Department aims to undermine anti-immigration policies and stall the resolution of “friction points” in bilateral relations. 

Moscow has declared it does not recognise the imposition of US citizenship on children of its diplomatic staff and will demand confirmation that newborns are not under US jurisdiction.