I guess you cannot understand the difference? First of all, they're NOT all from Russia. Calling the Lithuanian citizen a Russian is about as accurate as calling someone from Texas an Oklahoman.
Secondly, there is a difference between being a "Russian" and a "Russian citizen" - two different words in Russian - Rossiyanin (inhabitant of the Russian Federation, regardless of ethnicity) and Russkyj (an ethnic Russian). Unfortunately, other countries do pay attention to ethnicities - a trait that is unfortunately cropping up here in the USA. And lastly, they were all legal immigrants, as I understand it, so what we are talking about is American citizens/immigrants, or what most call "Americans."
Exactly. A fact that is only important to Texan's and Oklahomans. I don't expect to go over to the other side of the world and there still to be a distinction between the two. They are both Americans.
If they come from Russia, or one of those slavic nations around it, as far as I am concerned, as well as the rest of America, they are RUSSIAN.
Unfortunately, other countries do pay attention to ethnicities - a trait that is unfortunately cropping up here in the USA.
Ya well, that trait come's here to die. The blood in your veins, the color of your skin, the color of your hair, none of it matters. It's all about where you grew up.
Actually, I am sure both of us can dig up plenty of examples of chess champions, inventors, etc., being to referred to as "russki" vs. "rossi'ski" without anyone bothering to correct the "error". This issue only comes up when criminals are being discussed :)