To have Russian citizenship for US born children with Russian mother or not?

[slim 1,525]

You can't see professional football or baseball in either city.

We have a pretty good hockey team here - The Cincinnati Cyclones. They won the Kelly Cup last year!

For Slim: I conceal carry and own several guns. I like pecan pie. Just not seeing the humor in that. Or is there an underlying sexual context I'm missing? Guns equal men? Pie equals women? Fill me in, I'm slow.

No, unless I'm missing something too, guns = guns, pie = pie. It's just so nice talking about young beautiful women that love us fat, old, bald guys that the natural progression has been to throw some other nice things into the mix as well. Guns and pie are about the best you can get when you're talking nice stuff.

It also adds to the stereotype. On the one side, we're big strong men so we have guns... on the other, we're trying to overcompensate for our lack of normality and ability to find a good American woman, so we have guns. Always nice to throw popcorn onto either side of a "debate" here on VJ.

For Gary: My point was some of the forum favorites (not naming names) liked to take shots at Bush, conservatives, gun ownership, Tea Party folks, etc. That was "GOOD."

Therefore, on this same forum, talking down about Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid or the liberal left is "BAD."

Were they from Kalifornia?

You and Slim are the rare outspoken right of center types. Refreshing.

I'm only just barely right of center. The whole abortion issue kills me - I believe in mandatory abortions and/or sterilization of women/men on the dole. And I'm pro-choice all the way, too. Oh, and "the gays" don't bother me either as long as they work, pay taxes, stay out of trouble.... which leads right to illegal immigrants. If they want to stay and work, pay taxes, stay out of trouble - don't ship them off.... ship off those welfare pukes!

Note: No quotes.

Quotes are fine, so long as you're replying to what you're quoting. Just don't quote the whole page of quotes to reply to one point.

Russia is chock-full of unhappy bitchy women, that was one of them, I don't even want to go in all the details.

That's what happens when there's not enough fat, old, bald guys with guns and pie to go around.

Ain't it the truth?! In the past few years, I've met at least three Russian women divorced from American men that came to the U.S. via K visas. After a few minutes of small talk, they pushed their "bitter hateful spiteful bi*tch" buttons. "...I gave up a good life in Russia to come to America with a lying loser! Now I'm bagging groceries at Safeway to support myself!"

My immediate thought is if they displayed half that attitude in Russia, no one would want them in their home country, either. I know I couldn't escape quickly enough.

So their plan backfired?

Seems to me that women in general would benefit from working at Safeway for a while. Then they'd appreciate a good man when they found one!

Back on the OP, I asked my wife if she thought it was a good idea for the kid to get two citizenships and she said, "Sure. Why not?" When I asked about the military conscription she said, "If he lives in America, he's never gonna have to go to military." Then I asked, "Yeah, but if he's 19 and he goes home to visit and they check his passport and see no military, wouldn't they make him go then?" She said, "No. Because in twenty years Russia will be same like America.... Chinese!"

[RobandTania 1]

So their plan backfired?

Seems to me that women in general would benefit from working at Safeway for a while. Then they'd appreciate a good man when they found one!

Back on the OP, I asked my wife if she thought it was a good idea for the kid to get two citizenships and she said, "Sure. Why not?" When I asked about the military conscription she said, "If he lives in America, he's never gonna have to go to military." Then I asked, "Yeah, but if he's 19 and he goes home to visit and they check his passport and see no military, wouldn't they make him go then?" She said, "No. Because in twenty years Russia will be same like America.... Chinese!"

Smart, scary woman...

[Redneck-NOVA 1]

Hey, it was pretty entertaining to read you guys attack each other for several pages straight... Other portions of this forum are more civil but boring too. Hey, how do I join the Russian forum? Let me qickly introduce myself.

I'm actually quite the opposite of most of you - I'm a Russian male (not fat and not bald ) married to an American woman (also not fat and not bold ) of Russian decent. Have to clarify about the Russian decent though. She was born in the US and so were her parents and even grandparents. Her great-grandparents immigrated from Russia/Ukraine (not sure since they lived right at the border) in the 20s. She does speak good Russian though (with mistakes and accent, but rather fluent) but from living and working there for 4 years, not from family. She also cooks and cleans and dresses up and likes being girly, which doesn't prevent her from having a professional career - something many American woman should learn by the way...

Oh yeah, even though I'm not bald or fat, I own a bunch of guns too! Guns are fun! Not a big fan of pie though...

And since we touched politcal affiliations here, I'm also right-of-center conservative libertarian/constitutionalist. Pro-gun, pro-choice, pro-freedom. Anti-big government, anti-welfare state, pro-personal responsibility.

Ok, sorry for being for a while.

As for the dual citizenship issue... Yes, there are clear benefits making it easier traveling to Russia. Also, if your kid ever decides to live or work in Russia for some time, it will make his life A LOT easier. Easier to own property too.

But there are major downsides too. Military service being the biggest one, but general situation where US embassy technically cannot assist you whatever happens, shouldn't be overlooked either. And by the way, Russia is much stricter than Ukraine in terms of military draft. Russia doesn't recognize any other citizenships you have (just like the US) and will treat you as Russian citizen only. If your kid is a boy and turns up in Russia during conscription age, he CAN be drafted. You can register with however many foreign Selective Services, hell, he can even be active duty in US Army, it wouldn't matter. Will embassy step in? Maybe, but they don't have to. Will it help? Maybe, but don't count on it. Will money help? Likely, but not for certain. So, DON'T RISK!

And for those who say "army is a school of life, it wouldn't hurt anyone if you serve" - get a grip! Russian army in it's present state is probably worse than most US prisons and more dangerous too. Hazings are getting more and more violent and living conditions are comparable to those of WWII concentration camps. If you make it out alive and well, consider yourself lucky. Don't listen to those who served 20 years ago - army was different back then, it's been getting worse and worse in recent years. Sure, there were hazings (dedovshina) in Soviet army 20-30 years ago. Sure there was physical abuse. Sure the food was terrible and so was medical care. But there was some control, some limits to what can and cannot happen. In present state of general lawlessness in Russia, army truly turned into a prison. As many people say "maybe army is a school of life, but it's better to study off-campus".

[Brad and Vika 129]

You can't see professional football or baseball in either city.

We have a pretty good hockey team here - The Cincinnati Cyclones. They won the Kelly Cup last year!

For Slim: I conceal carry and own several guns. I like pecan pie. Just not seeing the humor in that. Or is there an underlying sexual context I'm missing? Guns equal men? Pie equals women? Fill me in, I'm slow.

No, unless I'm missing something too, guns = guns, pie = pie. It's just so nice talking about young beautiful women that love us fat, old, bald guys that the natural progression has been to throw some other nice things into the mix as well. Guns and pie are about the best you can get when you're talking nice stuff.

It also adds to the stereotype. On the one side, we're big strong men so we have guns... on the other, we're trying to overcompensate for our lack of normality and ability to find a good American woman, so we have guns. Always nice to throw popcorn onto either side of a "debate" here on VJ.

For Gary: My point was some of the forum favorites (not naming names) liked to take shots at Bush, conservatives, gun ownership, Tea Party folks, etc. That was "GOOD."

Therefore, on this same forum, talking down about Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid or the liberal left is "BAD."

Were they from Kalifornia?

You and Slim are the rare outspoken right of center types. Refreshing.

I'm only just barely right of center. The whole abortion issue kills me - I believe in mandatory abortions and/or sterilization of women/men on the dole. And I'm pro-choice all the way, too. Oh, and "the gays" don't bother me either as long as they work, pay taxes, stay out of trouble.... which leads right to illegal immigrants. If they want to stay and work, pay taxes, stay out of trouble - don't ship them off.... ship off those welfare pukes!

Note: No quotes.

Quotes are fine, so long as you're replying to what you're quoting. Just don't quote the whole page of quotes to reply to one point.

Russia is chock-full of unhappy bitchy women, that was one of them, I don't even want to go in all the details.

That's what happens when there's not enough fat, old, bald guys with guns and pie to go around.

Ain't it the truth?! In the past few years, I've met at least three Russian women divorced from American men that came to the U.S. via K visas. After a few minutes of small talk, they pushed their "bitter hateful spiteful bi*tch" buttons. "...I gave up a good life in Russia to come to America with a lying loser! Now I'm bagging groceries at Safeway to support myself!"

My immediate thought is if they displayed half that attitude in Russia, no one would want them in their home country, either. I know I couldn't escape quickly enough.

So their plan backfired?

Seems to me that women in general would benefit from working at Safeway for a while. Then they'd appreciate a good man when they found one!

Back on the OP, I asked my wife if she thought it was a good idea for the kid to get two citizenships and she said, "Sure. Why not?" When I asked about the military conscription she said, "If he lives in America, he's never gonna have to go to military." Then I asked, "Yeah, but if he's 19 and he goes home to visit and they check his passport and see no military, wouldn't they make him go then?" She said, "No. Because in twenty years Russia will be same like America.... Chinese!"

What is your problem with my quoting one, itsy-bitsy point in your responsathons? It is my defense against serial responses (unless I made them).

[slim 1,525]

Redneck-NOVA, welcome. Seriously, welcome.

What is your problem with my quoting one, itsy-bitsy point in your responsathons? It is my defense against serial responses (unless I made them).

I love having a 32 page thread with 8 actual posts. Makes me miss OT. I spent a lot of time there over the holidays. Wow. Just wow. - On my way back there.

[Brad and Vika 129]

Redneck-NOVA, welcome. Seriously, welcome.

What is your problem with my quoting one, itsy-bitsy point in your responsathons? It is my defense against serial responses (unless I made them).

I love having a 32 page thread with 8 actual posts. Makes me miss OT. I spent a lot of time there over the holidays. Wow. Just wow. - On my way back there.

We aims 'ta please, and quit bithchin'.

[lee08 0]

I think everyone is missing a very important fact here and that is Russia will not allow dual citizenship. My wife checked into this a while back just to be prepared for our future children.

It's possible for the child to obtain Russian citizenship but the American father has to renounce the child's U.S. citizenship on his behalf. Not a smart thing to do.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

I think everyone is missing a very important fact here and that is Russia will not allow dual citizenship. My wife checked into this a while back just to be prepared for our future children.

It's possible for the child to obtain Russian citizenship but the American father has to renounce the child's U.S. citizenship on his behalf. Not a smart thing to do.

I have never heard this and know several people with Russian/American citizenships. Russia is presently handing out passports to Ukrainians with Russian nationality, such as my wife, and Ukraine is having a fit over it and Ukraine has banned dual citizenship just because of this. Russia is not making the Ukrainians renounce their Ukraine citizenship. when Russia stepped into Georgia last summer it was to protect "Russian citizens" that had been issued passports in just this manner. Ukraine does not want to wake up and find it has lost two or three oblasts overnight as they are overwhelmingly Russian

Russia will not allow dual US citizenship with people that left Russia as "refugees" or people that left during the Soviet Union without a complicated appeal process, but for a K-1 leaving now or a child born from a Russian/American marriage, I have heard of nothing restricting this.

[ZorValachan 0]

I cannot with absolute certainty say this is Russian specific, but about 15 years ago for a college research project, I was looking up dual citizenships.

Most countries (back then) that did not allow dual citizenships, still allowed for a minor to not to have to chose until they reach maturity (normally 18). This allows the actual person to decide which citizenship to take and which to abandon, and not have their parents decide it for them.

Apparently this is one of the classes I did not keep my notes/papers-so sorry I do not have references besides my memory.

As the OP was talking about his child, I would be sure to not jump to any conclusions on general statements, until it can be pinpointed if [stated law] applies to minors as well as adults.

[Oksana81 0]

I think everyone is missing a very important fact here and that is Russia will not allow dual citizenship. My wife checked into this a while back just to be prepared for our future children.

It's possible for the child to obtain Russian citizenship but the American father has to renounce the child's U.S. citizenship on his behalf. Not a smart thing to do.

sorry, but every sentence in your post is wrong. You, as a foreign (non-Russian) citizen, has to consent in writing to child acquiring a Russian citizenship. That's all. Edited December 3, 2009 by Oksana81

[Redneck-NOVA 1]

I think everyone is missing a very important fact here and that is Russia will not allow dual citizenship. My wife checked into this a while back just to be prepared for our future children.

It's possible for the child to obtain Russian citizenship but the American father has to renounce the child's U.S. citizenship on his behalf. Not a smart thing to do.

Typical mistake. Both Russia and the US don't RECOGNIZE dual citizenship, but they don't BAN it. Meaning that US will only treat you as a US citizen and Russia will only treat you as a Russian citizen, but other than that there is nothing on the books prohibiting having 2 citizenships.

Actually, even above is not enitrely correct since US WILL ask you about other citizenships you have on most background check forms and decising on whether to grant you security clearance might be influenced by this depending on circumstances.

Russia, in it's turn, will not allow you to run for any high office in the country if you have any other citizenships other then Russian. If I remember correctly, this law was passed in 90s when many Russian Jews would go to Israel, get citizenship (very easy, you basically become a citizen of Israel once you step your foot on Israel's soil, as long as you can prove Jewish descent), then come back to Russia as a dual citizen, get elected into one position or another and start stealing money or whatever else was there to steal, and when it gets too hot for them they would go back to Israel without any fear of prosecution.

[lee08 0]

I think everyone is missing a very important fact here and that is Russia will not allow dual citizenship. My wife checked into this a while back just to be prepared for our future children.

It's possible for the child to obtain Russian citizenship but the American father has to renounce the child's U.S. citizenship on his behalf. Not a smart thing to do.

sorry, but every sentence in your post is wrong. You, as a foreign (non-Russian) citizen, has to consent in writing to child acquiring a Russian citizenship. That's all.

Well maybe but I'm just typing what my wife told me and she checked all this out with the Russian authorites very recently as she speaks fluent Russian and that is what they told her, so you might check this again.

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

Hi,

We are very happy that my wife is 2 months pregnant and we are debating whether the baby should have Russian citizenship in addition to US citizenship. It is very easy to have Russian citizenship for kid with Russian parent(s). Can do it all in US, no need to go to Russia.

I am more cautious, because there could be obligation that the baby may not want when he/she grows up. Military draft... even US job, career consideration, can a US born citizen with Russian citizenship be American president? diplomat? And other concerns: security clearance ..

My wife thinks it is convenient when traveling and she is Russian.

Am I wrong?

Steve

Not going into specifics Steve...but go with your gut feeling. She wants the child to have "dual citizenship" for "travelling purposes" ? LOL. Ya right. When you have a chance do a google on the topic of Russian born mothers leaving their foreign spouses and taking the children with them back to Russia....even after they lose custody rights in the country of residence.

Edited December 5, 2009 by Why_Me

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

I think everyone is missing a very important fact here and that is Russia will not allow dual citizenship. My wife checked into this a while back just to be prepared for our future children.

It's possible for the child to obtain Russian citizenship but the American father has to renounce the child's U.S. citizenship on his behalf. Not a smart thing to do.

sorry, but every sentence in your post is wrong. You, as a foreign (non-Russian) citizen, has to consent in writing to child acquiring a Russian citizenship. That's all.

Well maybe but I'm just typing what my wife told me and she checked all this out with the Russian authorites very recently as she speaks fluent Russian and that is what they told her, so you might check this again.

I did. Redneck-NOVA is correct. Russia does not "recognize" dual citizenship (just as the USA does not) but does not prohibit it. You CAN have two citizehships for your child.

By the way, I had the great plesure of working with Russian and Ukrainian government people in my work there and let me tell you....the SS office, the DMV and the Post Offise here have got nothing on them. Wrong information from the people you talk to is to be expected.