Washington is violating both its own laws and international norms, the Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman says

The US State Department is flouting both US federal law and diplomatic immunity in forcing American citizenship on children of Russian consular staff, with no option given to refuse, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in an op-ed on Monday.

These moves by the "deep state" are undermining US President Donald Trump's unprecedented anti-immigration policy and his aim of ending birthright citizenship in the country, she said.

"It's absurd and violates every rule in the book, and delivers a blow to their own president," Zakharova wrote.

The US began the practice in 2023 under former President Joe Biden, "as if deliberately laying a mine under Trump in order to present him in the most ridiculous light," she said, adding that neither federal laws nor diplomatic agreements have been amended since.

Currently, children born of "foreign diplomatic officers" are exempted from US birthright citizenship under the Code of Federal Regulations and US Citizenship and Immigration Services policy, although they are considered lawful permanent residents.

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Coercive naturalization also violates Russian-US bilateral agreements and international norms, which grant diplomats immunity from the laws of the host country, the spokeswoman stressed.

Zakharova also warned that the situation gives Washington potential leverage over Russian diplomats.

Moscow banned LGBTQ-related content in 2022, years after passing laws protecting minors from "LGBTQ propaganda." In 2024, Russia also banned the adoption of children by countries that allow gender-reassignment surgeries and procedures.