Russian authorities are cracking down on undocumented migrants by developing a database that will prohibit them from various activities such as driving, marrying, and enrolling their children in school. These restrictions are part of new laws signed by President Vladimir Putin aimed at tightening immigration control. The laws establish a “deportation regime” that allows for the surveillance and expulsion of undocumented migrants without requiring a court order. The new regulations are set to take effect on Feb. 5, 2025.
Police Colonel General Alexander Gorovoy, Russia’s First Deputy Interior Minister, stated that creating the database will require extensive collaboration across government agencies. Once individuals are included in the database, they will be prevented from driving vehicles, accessing banking services, registering property, getting married or divorced, and enrolling children in kindergartens and schools. Gorovoy emphasized the importance of support from Russia’s Finance Ministry and technical services to ensure the effective implementation of the new immigration rules.
Russian lawmakers have called for the swift establishment of the database, with Deputy Prime Minister Tatiana Golikova reportedly assuring that it will be accessible to the public. The Interior Ministry has reported a decrease in the number of migrants in the country from 8.5 million last year to 6.1 million as of September 2023. Authorities in Russia have adopted a more stringent stance on migration since the deadly concert hall attack outside Moscow in March, where the four suspected gunmen were all citizens of Tajikistan.
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The new immigration laws in Russia are part of a broader crackdown on undocumented migrants, reflecting the government’s efforts to tighten control over immigration. The establishment of a comprehensive database to monitor and restrict the activities of undocumented migrants marks a significant step in this direction. The laws effectively give authorities the power to surveil and expel undocumented migrants without the need for a court order, signaling a more aggressive approach to immigration enforcement in the country.
Russian authorities are emphasizing the need for close cooperation across different government agencies to implement the new immigration rules effectively. The support of agencies like the Finance Ministry and technical services is crucial in developing and maintaining the database. The move to make the database accessible to the public demonstrates a commitment to transparency in immigration control measures. As the government aims to streamline the process of identifying and dealing with undocumented migrants, it is likely that enforcement of these new regulations will significantly impact the lives of migrants in Russia.
