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A total of 19 Cubans have been deported from the autonomous district of Khanty-Mansi in Russia so far in 2019.
Between January and September, authorities expelled a total of 244 foreign citizens from that oil region for violations of migration rules, a local media outlet reported.
They were migrants from Uzbekistan (82), Tajikistan (63), and Azerbaijan (40), as well as 19 individuals from Cameroon, Cuba, and China, respectively.
"All foreign citizens were fined for violating the stay regime in the territory of the Russian Federation, and additionally, the court ruled on the forced expulsion of each of the illegal migrants," reads a note from NV86.
Cubans expelled from Russia in July
In July, a total of 15 Cuban migrants were expelled from Russia within a week 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 of the Vladimir region.
Regarding the group of seven, the head of the Federal Marshals 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 example, I can say that seven citizens of Cuba were expelled this morning, so absolutely everyone is represented."
For its part, the group of 9 Cuban migrants in Vladimir was working illegally for two other foreigners, according to another local outlet.
The employers of the Cubans, whose nationality was not revealed, monitored the illegal stay and employment of nine Cubans aged between 28 and 58 in one of the shopping centers in the Alexandrovsky district from May 2024 to April 2025.
These alleged traffickers were brothers, aged 59 and 62, and were accused of orchestrating the illegal migration of Cubans. As a result, they face sentences of up to five years in prison and a hefty fine.
Likewise, the Cubans were detained in 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 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 charged with evading expulsion, which worsened his legal situation.
Just 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: “Leave for another country, they're rounding up immigrants here.”
His story is even more painful because his three children, who are underage, are 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 from an alleged prostitution ring. She was arrested after fleeing from a club where, according to reports on social media, she was being exploited. Today, she remains in a detention center without her family having knowledge of her whereabouts until a user alerted them on Facebook.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Deportation of Cubans in Russia
Why were the Cubans deported from Russia?
Cubans were deported from Russia mainly for violating immigration rules, such as working without permission, exceeding allowed stay duration, or failing to update their immigration status. Russian authorities have intensified measures against irregular migrants, resulting in a significant number of deportations of Cuban citizens in recent years.
How many Cubans have been deported from Russia in 2025?
So far in 2025, a total of 19 Cubans have been deported from Russia, specifically from the autonomous district of Khanty-Mansi. Additionally, in July 2025, another 15 Cubans were expelled within a one-week period from the Republic of Tatarstan and the Vladimir region.
What happens to Cubans who work illegally in Russia?
Cubans working illegally in Russia often face fines and deportation by the authorities. Individuals who work without the appropriate permits or overstay their legal time are at risk of being arrested and expelled. In some cases, employers who facilitate illegal work also face legal consequences.
How does Russian immigration policy affect Cubans?
The Russian immigration policy has tightened the conditions for migrants, including Cubans. Measures such as mandatory registration through the ruID app and biometric control have increased the detentions and deportations of those in irregular situations. Cubans who do not meet these requirements face the risk of being deported or having restricted access to work and services.
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