Employees of the Russian consulate in San Francisco consult on political asylum in the United States

Smoke in the Consulate General of the Russian Federation in San Francisco Photo: screenshot of NTV video

Some employees of the Russian Consulate General in San Francisco who stopped their work today have appealed to an immigration lawyer for assistance in obtaining political asylum.

San Francisco law firm president American Corporate Services Gregory Finkelson interview ForumDaily He said that over the past couple of days he had already received several calls from former consulate members in San Francisco who asked him to help with obtaining a political asylum in the United States.

Grigory Finkelson Photos: Facebook

“In fact, this possibility is not as incredible as it may seem. Theoretically, in the course of several years of living in America, serious changes can occur in the fate of a person. For example, he may realize that he is gay and even have a history of homosexual relations. In the same way, a person may become a Jehovah's Witness during this time or become disillusioned with the policies of the current Russian authorities. If, for example, he took any real action to support opposition politicians, he may fear that this will become known in his homeland. Also, during their stay in the United States, friends or relatives of a person in Russia may be subject to criminal prosecution. And, of course, an important reason is the fact of cooperation of the former consular officer with the US government and intelligence services, if such has taken place, ”he explained.

Gregory Finkelson added that the very fact that he applied for asylum gives the applicant the opportunity to live and work in the United States until the consideration of the case (and on average this period can be 2-3 of the year).

In case of refusal to grant the status, the asylum seeker can challenge the decision, and the whole process can drag on for 7-9 years, during which the former consular officer can legally reside in the United States.

On Thursday, the United States decided to close the consulate, as well as two Russian trade missions - in Washington and New York. According to the State Department, diplomatic missions are liquidated “on parity principles” in response to the restriction of the number of staff in the US diplomatic mission in Russia. At the same time, the representative of the State Department Heather neuert noted thethat the US authorities are not going to expel Russian diplomats from the country. In addition, Russia will retain the occupied buildings, but will not be able to use them for diplomatic missions.

The decision to close the Consulate General of Russia in San Francisco was initiated personally by US President Donald Trump. This was announced by the speaker of US President Sarah Sanders at a briefing in the White House.

“Yes, it was a decision made by the president,” she clarified in response to a corresponding question.

This closure is perhaps the most radical diplomatic measure of the United States against Russia since 1986.

The Gulf region has more than 75 000 Russian-speaking residents and 30 000 Russian residents in Sacramento, California, about 90 miles (145 kilometers) northeast of San Francisco.

The tacit confrontation between Russia and the United States began in December last year, when the administration of US President Barack Obama imposed sanctions against 9 Russian institutions, companies and individuals, including against the GRU and the FSB, for “interfering in elections and putting pressure on American diplomats” working in Russia.

Also USA closed access to two residential complexes - the so-called suburban "summer cottages" in the states of Maryland and New York, which are Russian diplomatic property, but were used by Russians for intelligence purposes, according to the Obama administration. In addition, on New Year's Eve expelled from the country 35 Russian diplomats.

However, in early August of this year, Moscow decided to cut The number of employees of the American Embassy in Russia per 755 people. Russia has not forgotten about diplomatic dachas and reported that “the Russian side suspends Since 1 in August, the US Embassy in Russia uses "all storage facilities on Dorozhnaya Street in Moscow and summer cottages in Serebryanny Bor."

In response to such measures 23 August Washington decided to pause issuing non-immigrant visas throughout Russia. The issuance of documents resumed from September 1, but in a reduced volume and only in Moscow. Therefore, the embassy staff recommended that Russians apply for permission to enter the United States at consulates in other states.

Read also on ForumDaily:

Searches in Russian trade mission in Washington

Russia explained the black smoke over the consulate in San Francisco

US intelligence agencies want to search the Russian consulate general: something inside the harness

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