Russia has long been known for its strict treatment of immigrants, especially those from Central Asia. Racism, harsh airport checks, and limited rights for labor workers have been a constant struggle for many entering the country. Over the years, immigration policies have only become tougher, with measures such as increased visa restrictions and more frequent raids on workplaces to hunt down undocumented migrants.
The situation escalated significantly following a terrorist attack on March 22, 2024, at Crocus City Hall in Krasnogorsk, Moscow Oblast. During the attack, gunmen—reportedly of Tajik citizenship—targeted civilians, resulting in multiple casualties and widespread panic. In the wake of this tragedy, the Russian government has moved swiftly to implement new laws designed to exert even tighter control over immigrants. These laws, presented as necessary security measures, have exacerbated the already precarious conditions faced by migrant workers in the country.
1. 90-Day Limit on Detention
Migrants held in immigration detention centers are now restricted to a maximum detention period of 90 days. Any extension beyond this requires court approval. While this may seem like a positive development, it’s more complicated in practice. Russia’s notoriously slow court system, coupled with frequent requests for extensions, means many migrants could still endure prolonged detention with no clear release date in sight.
2. Universal Identity Card
Migrants are now required to carry a new identity card that certifies their status in Russia. While this could provide clarity on their legal standing, it also introduces risks. There are concerns that police officers, who control the issuance and maintenance of these cards, might use their authority to demand bribes or exert control over migrants. With many already vulnerable to such abuses, this system may increase their exposure to extortion and corruption.
3. Loyalty Agreement
A new requirement forces migrants who stay in Russia for more than 30 days to sign a “loyalty agreement,” which abides them to follow Russian laws and customs. On the surface, this may sound harmless, but this agreement also prevents migrants from appealing decisions made by authorities. In effect, it strips them of their right to challenge unfair treatment or wrongful detainment, putting them in a powerless position.
4. Employer Restrictions
Russian employers now face tighter restrictions when hiring migrants. They must apply for approval for each migrant worker and job role they want to fill. This process is time-consuming and complicated, pushing many employers to bypass legal routes and hire migrants illegally. For migrants, this means more exposure to workplace abuse, unsafe working conditions, and exploitation since illegal hires lack basic labor protections.
5. Cancellation of Work Rights
Migrants with residence permits must now apply for separate work permits, which are valid for only one year and are tied to a specific job. If a migrant wants to change jobs or move to another region, they must go through the costly and time-consuming process of renewing their work permit. This rule traps migrants in specific jobs, often in poor working conditions, and limits their ability to seek better opportunities.
Image by Mikhail Tereshchenko (TASS) “Police officers detain a migrant.”
Why These Laws Matter
The Russian government claims that these stricter immigration laws are necessary for national security, particularly following the Crocus City Hall terrorist attack. They argue that tighter control over migrants will help prevent future incidents. However, critics point out that these measures do little to address the root causes of terrorism or increase security. Instead, they seem to exacerbate the existing challenges faced by migrants, pushing them further into a system of control and vulnerability. Whether these laws genuinely make the government feel more secure is debatable; they appear to serve more as a tool for exerting greater control over migrant populations rather than offering real solutions to security concerns.
By tying work permits to specific jobs, restricting movement, and limiting legal rights, Russia is sending a clear message: migrants are not welcome, and they should expect to be tightly controlled if they remain. These laws do not address the real issues of integration or fairness but instead, push more migrants into the shadows of illegal employment and insecure living conditions.
The Bigger Picture: Racism and Control
Russia’s new laws reflect deeper issues of racism and xenophobia toward Central Asian migrants, who are often viewed as second-class citizens. Migrants from countries like Tajikistan and Uzbekistan form a significant portion of Russia’s labor force, working in physically demanding, low-paid jobs. Despite their importance to the economy, they face persistent discrimination from employers and the police.
By introducing these new measures, Russia is creating a system that traps migrants in a cycle of dependence and vulnerability. They must comply with increasingly restrictive laws or face detention, deportation, or financial ruin. With fewer legal protections and more police control, migrants are left at the mercy of a system designed to keep them down.
Russia’s choice to prioritize control over fairness leaves thousands of migrants to navigate a legal system stacked against them. The country’s future depends not just on security but on how it treats those who come seeking a better life. Unfortunately, these new laws suggest that Russia is headed down a path of greater division and discrimination.
Featured image – “A courier in Moscow” by Yaroslav Chingaev / Moskva News Agency
