politics

May 4, 2026

Zakharova accuses US of illegally imposing citizenship on Russian diplomats’ children

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zakharova says US policy forces citizenship on Russian diplomats’ children, in breach of federal law and international norms

Zakharova accuses US of illegally imposing citizenship on Russian diplomats’ children

TL;DR

  • Russia accuses the US State Department of flouting US federal law and diplomatic immunity by forcing American citizenship on children of Russian consular staff.
  • This policy is seen as undermining US President Donald Trump's anti-immigration goals and his aim to end birthright citizenship.
  • The practice began in 2023 under former President Joe Biden.
  • Current US regulations exempt children of foreign diplomatic officers from birthright citizenship, though they are considered lawful permanent residents.
  • Coercive naturalization allegedly violates Russian-US bilateral agreements and international norms regarding diplomatic immunity.
  • Russia warns that this situation could give Washington leverage over Russian diplomats.

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