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Russian authorities deported two Cuban migrants who were living illegally in the city of Nizhnevartovsk, located nearly 3,000 kilometers east of Moscow, according to a report from the press department of the Federal Bailiffs Service of Russia in the Khanty-Mansiysk region.
According to the official report -quoted by the Russian press- the migrants from the island had exceeded the legally allowed three-month stay in Russia.
The identity of the women and the exact date of their arrival in the country were not specified.
The authorities determined that the foreign women violated Russian immigration laws by illegally settling in Nizhnevartovsk, and thus "they were handed over to the police authorities and forcibly sent back to Cuba."
Before being deported, the two Cuban women were moved to a temporary detention center.
"The marshals, to ensure the procedure established by the courts, took the offenders to the checkpoint on the other side of the state line and handed them over to the border guards. From there, the Cuban women went home," concluded the official statement.
As of the publication of this note, no other details about the case have been released.
Increase in the number of Cubans deported from Russia
Despite the fact that Cubans can enter Russia without a visa for a period of up to 90 days, many have faced legal and administrative challenges in the past year, leading to detentions and deportations.
In May 2024, ten Cubans were arrested and deported following a raid at the Rodina market in Kazan, under accusations of violating stay regulations and engaging in work activities without the proper permits.
Previously, in April 2024, an increase in the expulsions of Cuban migrants was reported following a terrorist attack near Moscow.
Neither the Russian nor the Cuban authorities have released official figures regarding the number of Cubans in irregular situations or those who have been expelled. The lack of transparency also surrounds the hundreds of Cubans who have been recruited as mercenaries to participate in the Russian invasion of Ukraine, a subject on which both Havana and Moscow remain silent.
Tightening of immigration laws in Russia
At the beginning of this month, it was reported that a new registry of controlled individuals in Russia has been implemented, which includes all foreigners who are illegally in the country, according to official sources.
This registry will be used to verify foreigners before their employment, enrollment of children in educational institutions, property registration, or marital procedures, explained Vladimir Shkunov, administrator of the Facebook group “Russia for Cubans.”
The registry will be available to employers, educational institutions, and other entities, allowing them to verify the legal status of migrants before offering them services or employment.
This legal regime applies to foreigners and stateless persons who are illegally present in Russia (for example, those whose temporary residence permit has expired or whose visa has been canceled). It takes effect from the moment the migrant registers in the controlled persons registry.
The expulsion regime provides for the imposition of prohibitions.
Migrants registered in the system cannot open a business, purchase real estate and transportation, get married, or change residence without the permission of the migration authority. Officials will monitor compliance with these prohibitions.
State control in the field of migration will also be implemented. For example, the verification of documents and the mandatory registration of the migrant's fingerprints will be possible. A person can be detained in a special facility for 48 hours and, by court order, for a longer period.
Individuals will be removed from the controlled persons registry in the following cases: departure from Russia; acquisition of legal grounds to remain in the country; cancellation or acknowledgment of an illegal decision that served as the basis for their inclusion in the registry; death.
The Government of the Russian Federation will determine the procedure for entering information into the register and the rules for providing information regarding its inclusion or exclusion.
According to Alexander Gorovoy, the First Deputy Minister of the Interior of the Russian Federation, currently there are 670,000 foreign migrants in irregular situations in Russia. More than half of these individuals are women and minors.
Gorovoy informed Russian media that they have until April 30, 2025, to regularize their legal status. Starting May 1, those who have not completed this process will need to leave the country.
"After verifying it through our special records and confirming that no violations affecting public order have occurred, we will regulate the legal status of these foreign citizens. Otherwise, they will be required to leave the country," said Gorovoy in an interview with the radio station Komsomolskaya Pravda.
The official also mentioned that last year, 9.5 million foreigners visited Russia, a 4.5% increase compared to 2023. Of these, 9.3 million people have left the country.
Today, there are 6.3 million immigrants living in Russia, 80% of whom come from the countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).
The implementation of this measure aligns with the signing of a law in August 2024 by Russian President Vladímir Putin that establishes specific obligations for foreigners wishing to reside in Russia.
This legislation, published on the State legal information portal, also outlined the mechanisms for the expulsion of foreigners in cases of violations of local laws.
These provisions aim to increase control over the stay of foreigners in Russian territory and require them to legalize their immigration status.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Deportation of Cubans from Russia and the Tightening of Immigration Laws
Why did Russian authorities deport Cuban migrants?
The Cuban migrants were deported for exceeding the legal stay period of three months allowed in Russia, which constitutes a violation of the country's immigration regulations. They were residing illegally in the city of Nizhnevartovsk, which led to their detention and subsequent deportation to Cuba.
What measures has Russia implemented to control illegal migration?
Russia has implemented a new registry of controlled individuals that includes all foreigners who are illegally present in the country. This registry will be used to verify the legal status of migrants before offering them services or employment, and those registered face significant restrictions, such as a ban on opening businesses, purchasing property, or marrying without authorization.
What are the consequences for migrants registered as illegal in Russia?
Illegal migrants in Russia face restrictions such as the inability to open businesses, purchase property, or change residence without permission. Additionally, they may be detained in special institutions for a certain period and are subjected to stricter state control, including document verification and fingerprint registration.
How does the new immigration legislation in Russia affect Cubans?
Despite the fact that Cubans can enter Russia without a visa for 90 days, many face legal and administrative challenges that have led to arrests and deportations. The new legislation increases control over their stay and requires foreigners to legalize their status, which poses an additional challenge for Cuban migrants seeking to settle in Russia.
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