Is it true that migrants commit crimes more often than Russians?
No, that’s a myth. According to official statistics at the end of April 2025, migrants committed about 2% of all recorded crimes in the country over the year. At the same time, 3.4 million administrative violation reports were filed against migrants — mostly for overstaying their legal period in Russia.
These violations can be costly: after two administrative offenses, a person can be deported. In 2024, more than 90,000 migrants left Russia — 50% more than the previous year.
“The goal of migrants’ lives is not to break the law in another country. In fact, these people are more likely to obey the law because they risk deportation,” explained Tatyana Kotlyar. Is it true that migrants spread diseases among Russians?
No. This is a common fear, but it has no basis. All migrants who want to obtain legal status in Russia — for example, a work permit or residence permit — are required to undergo a medical examination. And not just once, but annually.
Lawyer Tatyana Kotlyar recalls one case: a foreigner she knew was diagnosed with HIV. He was not deported but registered with a specialized medical center — just as any Russian citizen would be. Why aren’t migrants banned from entering Russia?
Because the country cannot do without them. According to projections by the “To Be Precise” project, by 2030, one-third of Russia’s population will be elderly.
Meanwhile, there’s already a shortage of workers: the children of young people won’t enter the workforce or start paying taxes anytime soon. And the economy needs active, able-bodied people.
Where can labor come from? From migrants. Interviewees for “7x7” believe this is a natural practice not unique to Russia. In fact, businesses may soon begin competing to attract migrants into the country. Do migrants take away our jobs?
No. Unemployment in Russia is currently at a historic low: about 2.4%. Migrants typically work in sectors that suffer from serious labor shortages: delivery, taxis, construction, and cleaning. This is hard and unappealing work that locals rarely pursue.
Businesses benefit from this: migrants work for less money. At the same time, taxes from business profits — including those that hire migrants — still go into the state budget.
If migrants are banned from working, regions will be drowning in garbage, and residents will pay more for rides. Why does the government spend our taxes on migrants?
Again, the state acts based on logic of benefit and profit. Migrants often move with their families — their children attend kindergartens or schools.
As explained to “7x7” by representatives of one human rights organization, migrants pay taxes, live in Russia permanently, and change jobs less frequently. Their families are more stable, integrate better, and become part of the local economy. Why aren’t migrant children taught in separate classes?
Separating children by nationality or language is a harmful practice, say human rights defenders. Such “separate” classes were tried in some cities, but they led to alienation and conflict.
Since April 2025, Russian schools have introduced a new law requiring mandatory Russian language testing for migrant children. This made it harder for them to enroll, especially in the first grade: young students simply don’t have enough time to learn the language before school starts
Out of 335 children allowed to take the test, only 27 passed.
“Children don’t fit into our reality, they don’t absorb the culture, don’t learn the language, and thus remain separate individuals who can’t live in Russian society. And, by the way, these children can’t go back either, because they lose their social ties,” explained lawyers to “7x7”. Why don’t migrants want to assimilate into our society?
Here, it’s important to distinguish between two concepts: - Adaptation — when a person learns the language, finds a job, interacts with society.
- Assimilation — when a person completely loses their cultural identity.
Adaptation is necessary. Assimilation is a personal choice. In practice, integration is more common: cultures mix, enriching one another. But integration is only possible in both directions — if society doesn’t reject “newcomers.”
For women, especially homemakers or assembly line workers, integration is harder: they interact less with others. Tatyana Kotlyar advises such women to seek work that involves talking to different people. This helps them learn the language.
After the new law on testing migrant children, the situation became more complicated. Previously, children learned the language in a live environment — in class, with teachers.
Now that path has become more difficult. Which means integration will be more difficult too. | 
