cross-posted from: https://lemmy.sdf.org/post/42354560

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According to official data from Russia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs, 6.3 million immigrants arrived in the country in 2024 — the highest number since 1995. About half of them came in search of work. At the same time, immigrants have become one of the main targets of Russian propaganda (especially after the Crocus City Hall attack of March 22, 2024), with former president Dmitry Medvedev and Investigative Committee head Alexander Bastrykin numbering among the government’s most notable xenophobes.

The fight against migrants in Russia is not limited to rhetoric alone. At the end of 2024, the State Duma passed several anti-migrant laws, including a ban on nongovernmental institutions issuing Russian language proficiency certificates. The state also instituted tougher penalties for “organizing illegal migration” or providing fictitious residency registrations.

Starting from Feb. 5, 2025, police were granted the right to deport foreign citizens without trial for offenses as mild as drinking alcohol in public places, “promoting nontraditional relations,” and possession and use of drugs. The following day, the Ministry of Internal Affairs launched a registry of “controlled persons” — migrants who had been found guilty of violating the law. Being placed on this list effectively amounts to “social death”: people have their bank accounts blocked and lose access to most public services. In essence, they are left with little choice but to leave Russia.

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