The entity will also manage citizenship issues, according to the Kremlin
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree forming a new state agency aimed at tightening immigration control. The newly established Citizenship and Foreign Nationals Registration Service will function under the Interior Ministry.
Following the decree's signing on Wednesday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that "the primary objective is to regulate migration processes, enforce measures ensuring compliance with Russian laws among migrants, and curb illegal activities."
Putin has previously emphasized the importance of dismantling illegal immigration networks.
According to the Interior Ministry, Russia currently hosts approximately 670,000 undocumented migrants. However, authorities have announced that foreign nationals lacking valid documents will be allowed to extend their stay until the end of April 2025.
During an address to the Federation Council on Wednesday, Prosecutor General Igor Krasnov criticized law enforcement for "major deficiencies" in migration oversight.
"Due to these shortcomings, authorities often lacked up-to-date records on the status and movement of foreign nationals, and many departures from Russia were not properly enforced," Krasnov explained. "In 1,500 instances, prosecutors have pursued legal actions to annul fraudulent methods used to legalize migrants."
Russia has tightened immigration policies following a foreign-orchestrated terrorist attack at a concert venue near Moscow in March 2024, which resulted in 145 fatalities and over 550 injuries.
According to the Interior Ministry, the number of foreign nationals expelled from Russia reached 190,000 last year, marking an increase of nearly one-third compared to 2023. Additionally, deportations due to legal violations surged by 45%.
Illegal immigration is now categorized as a particularly severe offense, with penalties including the confiscation of financial assets and property obtained through human trafficking. This measure is designed to eliminate financial incentives for criminals and dismantle unlawful migration networks.
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