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A total of 15 Cuban migrants were deported last week from Russia in unrelated cases, specifically from the Republic of Tatarstan and the Vladimir region.
According to local media from the respective regions, seven Cubans were expelled from Tatarstan on Tuesday, July 15, while nine Cubans were arrested and will be deported in the Aleksandrovsky district, in the Vladimir region.
Regarding the group of 7, the head of the Federal Bailiffs Service of the Republic of Tatarstan, Anvar Zakirov, confirmed last Tuesday that “among the more than 500 citizens expelled, there are representatives of different nationalities, not just from nearby foreign countries. For instance, I can say that seven citizens from Cuba were expelled this morning, so absolutely everyone is represented.”
For its part, a group of 9 Cuban migrants in Vladimir was working illegally for two other foreigners, according to another local media outlet.
The employers of the Cubans, whose nationality was not disclosed, oversaw, between May 2024 and April 2025, the illegal stay and employment of nine Cubans aged between 28 and 58 in one of the shopping centers in the Alexandrovsky district.
These alleged traffickers were brothers aged 59 and 62 and were accused of organizing the illegal migration of Cubans. As a result, they face penalties of up to five years in prison and a hefty fine
Likewise, the Cubans were detained at a migrant center and will be deported.
Cubans deported from Russia
Although Cubans can enter Russia without a visa for up to 90 days, many have been detained or deported for working without permission, overstaying their allotted time, or failing to update their status.
In March 2025, at least 17 Cubans were detained in the Krasnodar region for illegal stay. The group was sent back to the Island on two flights. The last one arrived on April 27. One of them was even accused of evading deportation, which worsened his legal situation.
Only days later, the case of Yoel Gallart Villalobos, a 46-year-old man from Matanzas who lived in Russia for six years and is the father of three children born in that country, shook social media. Gallart was handed over to the police by his own mother-in-law for lacking documents.
From the deportation center in Gulkévichi, he warned other Cubans: "Go to another country, they're rounding up immigrants here."
His story is even more painful because his three minor children were left in the care of a grandmother with no resources, and he fears being separated from them forever. Despite having worked for years in Sochi, he was never able to regularize his situation.
There is also the case of Nailen, a young woman from Sancti Spíritus who has been detained for 11 months after escaping an alleged prostitution ring. She was arrested after fleeing a club where, according to reports on social media, she was being exploited. Today, she remains in a detention center with her family unaware of her whereabouts until a user alerted others on Facebook.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Deportation of Cuban Migrants in Russia
Why were 15 Cuban migrants expelled from Russia in July 2025?
A total of 15 Cuban migrants were expelled from Russia in July 2025 due to various immigration violations. Seven of them were deported from the Republic of Tatarstan for violating immigration laws, while the other eight were detained in the Vladimir region for working illegally. These cases reflect the increasing immigration controls in Russia, where many Cubans face deportation for exceeding the allowed duration of stay or working without the proper permits.
What are the new immigration measures affecting Cubans in Russia?
Russia has implemented a new registry of "controlled persons", affecting foreigners in irregular situations, including Cubans. This registry aims to verify the legal status of migrants before offering them services or employment. Additionally, starting from June 2025, visa-exempt foreign citizens must register electronically before traveling through the ruID application. These measures seek to increase control over the stay of foreigners in Russian territory and compel them to legalize their migratory status.
What consequences do Cubans face when they are deported from Russia?
The Cubans deported from Russia face entry bans to the country that can last between 5 and 10 years. Upon being deported, many return to Cuba without support from the Cuban government for reintegration. Furthermore, deportation can separate families and leave the deported individuals in precarious economic and social situations. Deported migrants, as mentioned in the case of the 17 Cubans deported in April 2025, often return without resources and face an uncertain future in Cuba.
What is the situation of Cuban migrants working illegally in Russia?
Many Cuban migrants in Russia work under informal conditions, without legal contracts, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation and deportation. The lack of appropriate legal status means that these workers do not have access to labor rights or protection, making them susceptible to immigration checks and raids. Cases like that of Yoel Gallart Villalobos, who worked for years without being able to regularize his situation, illustrate the challenges faced by Cubans seeking better opportunities in Russia.
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