Cuban Women Deported from Russia Following Immigration Violations

In a recent move, Russian authorities have deported two Cuban women who were residing illegally in Nizhnevartovsk, a city located nearly 3,000 kilometers east of Moscow. This action was confirmed by the press department of the Federal Bailiff Service in the Khanty-Mansiysk region. According to the official report, the migrants had overstayed the three-month period legally allowed for their stay in Russia.

The report did not disclose the identities of the women or the exact date of their arrival in the country. The authorities concluded that these individuals violated Russian immigration laws by settling illegally in Nizhnevartovsk. Consequently, they were detained by law enforcement and forcibly sent back to Cuba. Before their deportation, the two women were held at a temporary detention center.

"The bailiffs ensured the court-mandated procedures were followed by escorting the violators to the state border checkpoint and handing them over to border guards. From there, the Cuban women were sent home," stated the official release. No further details of the case have been revealed as of the closure of this report.

Rising Number of Cuban Deportations from Russia

Despite the fact that Cubans can enter Russia without a visa for up to 90 days, many have encountered legal and administrative challenges in the past year, often resulting in arrests and deportations. In May 2024, ten Cubans were apprehended and deported following a raid at the Rodina market in Kazan, accused of violating stay regulations and engaging in work without the necessary permits. Earlier, in April 2024, there was a reported increase in the deportation of Cuban migrants following a terrorist attack near Moscow.

Both Russian and Cuban authorities have yet to release official figures regarding the number of Cubans in irregular situations or those expelled. There is also a lack of transparency surrounding the hundreds of Cubans reportedly recruited as mercenaries for Russia's invasion of Ukraine, a subject on which both Havana and Moscow remain silent.

Tightening of Immigration Laws in Russia

Earlier this month, a new registry for monitored individuals was implemented in Russia, including all foreigners residing illegally in the country, as reported by official sources. This registry will serve to verify the status of foreigners before employment, enrollment of children in educational institutions, property registration, or marital procedures, explained Vladimir Shkunov, an administrator for the Facebook group “Russia for Cubans.”

Accessible to employers, educational institutions, and other entities, this registry allows verification of migrants' legal status before offering services or employment. It applies to foreigners and stateless persons residing illegally in Russia, such as those whose temporary residence permits have expired or visas have been canceled. The expulsion regime includes the imposition of restrictions.

Migrants listed in the registry cannot start a business, purchase property and transportation, get married, or change residence without migration authority approval. Authorities will monitor compliance with these prohibitions. Additionally, state control over migration will be enforced, including document verification and mandatory fingerprint registration for migrants. An individual may be detained in a special facility for 48 hours or longer by court order.

Removal from the monitored registry occurs in specific cases: leaving Russia, obtaining legal grounds for staying in the country, cancellation or recognition of an illegal decision that led to their inclusion in the registry, or death. The Russian Federation government will determine the procedure for adding information to the registry and the rules for providing information about inclusion or removal.

According to Alexander Gorovoy, First Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation, there are currently 670,000 foreign migrants in irregular situations in Russia. More than half are women and minors. Gorovoy informed Russian media that they have until April 30, 2025, to legalize their status. From May 1, those who have not complied will be required to leave the country.

“Upon verification through our special records, if no violations affecting public order are found, we will regularize the legal status of these foreign citizens. Otherwise, they will be required to leave the country,” Gorovoy stated in an interview with radio station Komsomolskaya Pravda. He also mentioned that last year, 9.5 million foreigners visited Russia, a 4.5% increase from 2023, with 9.3 million having since left the country.

Currently, Russia is home to 6.3 million immigrants, 80% of whom come from Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries. This measure aligns with a law signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin in August 2024, establishing specific obligations for foreigners wishing to reside in Russia. This legislation, published on the state's legal information portal, also details mechanisms for expelling foreigners in case of local law violations. These provisions aim to increase control over foreigners' stay in Russian territory and compel them to legalize their immigration status.