Karina Palkova, the Latvian Ombudsman, has called for a re-evaluation of the recent amendments to Latvia's Immigration Law, which impose a blanket prohibition on Russian and Belarusian citizens from receiving residence permits, even when there are guardians available for their children in Latvia. This legal change specifically affects those individuals who are the natural guardians of underage Latvian citizens or non-citizens, allowing them to apply for temporary residence permits only when there are no other guardians who can provide daily care for the child.

Palkova's concerns primarily focus on the implications of these amendments for the rights of minors in Latvia. She argues that this legal framework might infringe on the rights of Latvian citizen children and non-citizens to private and family life. The current legislation could potentially hinder Latvian minors' ability to maintain close familial connections with their guardians, thereby affecting their emotional and social well-being.

By addressing the Saeima's Defense, Interior, and Corruption Prevention Committee, Palkova highlights that parental care is not only a right but a duty, as stipulated by the Civil Code. The amendments raise significant questions about the balance between national immigration policy and the rights of families to remain together, especially in a context where children's welfare should be a primary concern.