Putin issues deadline to illegal immigrants

New laws and measures are part of the fallout from the Crocus City Hall terror attack in Moscow in March

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on Monday ordering illegal migrants to either legalize their status or leave the country by April 30. The directive is part of a broader effort to tighten Russia’s migration policy.

“Foreign citizens and stateless persons in the Russian Federation… are obliged to leave the Russian Federation on their own or settle their legal status from January 1 to April 30, 2025,” the decree states.

Illegal immigrants who wish to stay must meet strict requirements, including submitting biometric data, undergoing medical checks for drugs, infectious diseases, and HIV, and pass tests on the Russian language, history, and legal system. They are also required to settle any outstanding debts and ensure their documents, such as work or residence permits, remain valid. Exceptions are made for undocumented foreign citizens who sign contracts with the military, allowing them to avoid deportation.

In 2024, new laws were introduced to track illegal immigrants through a register of “controlled persons.” From February 5 authorities will gain the power to expel undocumented foreigners without a court decision.

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Additionally, organizing illegal migration has been classified as a particularly serious crime. Penalties include the confiscation of money and property acquired from facilitating human trafficking, thus stripping criminals of financial incentives and disrupting the operations of such networks.

The measures follow a terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall near Moscow in March, which killed 145 people and injured around 500. Investigators identified Tajik citizens as the perpetrators. The incident prompted Putin to call for a review of immigration policies, speaking at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum in June, at which he also emphasized a balance between addressing security concerns and maintaining the labor force.

“We cannot pretend this problem does not exist,” Putin said, while also noting the country’s reliance on migrant workers due to low unemployment and demographic challenges. Presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov echoed this sentiment, stating, “Russia welcomes labor migrants for the dynamic development of the country,” but added that measures must ensure security and compliance with the law.

Recent legislative changes also include a law requiring migrant children to pass Russian language tests before enrolling in schools, reinforcing the government’s focus on integration.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs is expected to oversee the implementation of the new immigration regulations, marking a significant shift in Russia’s approach to stateless and undocumented persons. This change centralizes control and emphasizes stricter enforcement measures. Traditionally, migration policies in Russia have been managed through a more fragmented system that involved various regional and federal agencies.