Russia's Commitment to Ending Illegal Migration: Deputy PM Khusnullin's Statement
In a decisive move to tackle illegal migration, Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin announced that Russia will no longer tolerate illegal migration practices. This declaration followed the recent Tajik-Russian intergovernmental commission meeting on trade and economic cooperation. Khusnullin emphasized the importance of managing labor resources legally, stating, "There will be no more illegal migration in our country. We need labor resources, but all this will be done absolutely legally."
The Deputy Prime Minister highlighted the necessity of establishing a working group between Russia and Tajikistan to enhance security measures and streamline the migration process. He called for comprehensive data exchange and organizational work to understand and manage the flow of migrants more effectively.
Despite these measures, concerns have been raised by Tajikistan's Prime Minister Kokhir Rasulzoda regarding the increasing instances of Tajik citizens facing entry bans and deportations from Russia. Rasulzoda described this as a violation of fundamental rights, noting that many individuals, including students and elderly citizens, have faced long detentions at the borders. He urged both nations to work towards solutions that foster mutual understanding and economic benefit.
Currently, the Ministry of Internal Affairs reports approximately 630,000 illegal migrants in Russia, primarily due to violations of stay regulations or illegal employment. In contrast, around 3.5 million labor migrants are legally residing in the country, predominantly from Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan. To address the challenges of illegal migration, the State Duma is reviewing several legislative proposals, including harsher penalties for organizing illegal migration and the potential confiscation of property linked to such activities.
In a recent legislative session, the State Duma passed a bill aiming to deprive property from those organizing illegal migration for profit. The Chairman of the State Duma, Vyacheslav Volodin, noted a staggering 79.6% increase in crimes related to illegal migration, underscoring the need for stringent measures to combat these offenses.
