An increasing number of Russian women are giving birth in Argentina in hopes of obtaining citizenship in Argentina, pessimistic about the future of Russia, which has continued to invade Ukraine and is subject to stronger sanctions from Japan, the United States, and Europe. Earlier this month, the Argentine government seized pregnant women for illegal immigration. Russia is also taking steps to prevent the leak.
Mr. Eliseev responds to an online interview for this newspaper in Argentina where he has evacuated.
Illegal immigration for the nationality of newborns
According to AFP news agency and other sources, six pregnant Russian women were detained at the immigration office in Buenos Aires earlier this month as “illegal immigrants.” The six had tourist visas, but were unable to explain the purpose of their trip or length of stay, and were deemed to be traveling for Argentinean citizenship, which is automatically granted to newborns upon birth.
In Argentina, following the birth of a child, parents can also acquire Argentinean nationality if certain conditions are met. European countries that restrict the entry of Russian citizens can also travel without a visa if they have an Argentinian passport. It is estimated that 10,500 Russians, including pregnant women, arrived in Argentina last year.
Denis Eliseev (41), a former lawyer for the Russian human rights group OVD Info, who participated in the protests at the beginning of the invasion and moved to Argentina in May last year to escape repression, said, “Compared to Russia, Argentina has a sense of stability. The people of Russia (the aggressor country that invaded) will not be discriminated against,” he told an online interview. Eliseev’s wife gave birth in Argentina six months ago, and their son became an Argentinian citizen.
◆ Without confirming the identity of the “father”
According to Argentinian media, the country has been concerned about the immigration of a large number of Russian pregnant women since last year. All 350 people who were interviewed said they had entered Argentina through an intermediary for a visa-free passport to more than 160 countries. The women reportedly said, “Russian passports have no value.”
In Argentina, there is no mechanism to verify the identity of the “father” on the birth certificate. For this reason, the authorities are investigating whether some Russian women are suspected of helping to fraudulently obtain Argentine passports by posting a person who is not their real father.
Many Russians who are evacuating abroad are IT engineers who are fluent in foreign languages, and the Russian government is desperate to prevent the spread of “brain drain.” The government intends to increase pressure by notifying intelligence agencies of information on users of Russia’s payment services. It also plans to raise the income tax rate for Russians who telework abroad. (Moscow, Yuji Koyanagi, New York, Takahiro Sugito)
