The Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs has announced a strict crackdown on illegal migrants, set to begin on May 1. First Deputy Minister Alexander Gorovoy stated that approximately 650,000 foreign citizens are residing in the country illegally, with a significant portion in the Volga Federal District. The ministry is urging undocumented migrants to legalize their status before the deadline, but voluntary registration remains low.
A key factor in the rise of undocumented migrants has been stricter Russian language proficiency exams, which have prevented many from obtaining work permits. The government is balancing the need for foreign labour with the necessity of regulation. In 2023 and 2024, migrant labour contributed over 9 billion rubles to the economy of the Volga Federal District. However, authorities are increasingly concerned about rising crime rates among migrants, with serious crimes increasing by 25% in some regions.
Despite the upcoming deportations, officials emphasize that foreign workers remain essential to Russia’s economy. The government is also working on measures to improve the legal employment and social adaptation of migrants.