Russia considers denying residency to migrants with criminal records

Chairman of the State Duma Vyacheslav Volodin has said there is a need to strengthen control over migrants arriving in Russia, stressing that individuals with criminal records or administrative violations in their home countries should not be granted residence permits or citizenship in the Russian Federation.

“We believe that control over incoming migrants must be strengthened. New restrictions should be introduced for those who want to obtain a residence permit in our country. And if such candidates have issues with the law in their country of residence, from where they want to come to us, there should be the possibility of refusing them citizenship,” he said, TASS reports.

Volodin said such measures would help create conditions for the entry of law-abiding foreigners who comply with the laws in their own countries.

“Administrative liability, criminal record — all of this will be grounds for refusing residence permits and citizenship to everyone who seeks to move to our country,” he added.

By Vafa Guliyeva