Romodanovsky explained that this measure will help 'those who already live in Russia but have not obtained proper documents not to remain in the shadows.' The FMS plans to start the amnesty exactly two weeks before the new migration legislation comes into force, simplifying the registration procedure for foreign citizens in Russia. According to Romodanovsky's agency's calculations, two weeks will be enough for all willing among 10 million illegal migrants to start a new life.
Public organizations have long demanded amnesty for migrants. For example, the Human Rights Ombudsman in Russia Vladimir Lukin stated: 'The best way to solve the problem would be an amnesty for illegal migrants, after which it is necessary to strictly require migrants to comply with a more liberal law that will come into force on January 15.' To simplify the procedure, the ombudsman proposed issuing migration cards to those working illegally and those awaiting deportation in temporary detention centers.
The Federal Migration Service had promised to conduct an amnesty for illegal migrants from the CIS, but the idea was never formalized as a law or presidential decree. And now General Romodanovsky has spoken about the agency's plans. 'I think two weeks are enough to 'clean' the category of persons already in Russia,' he said.
Svetlana Gannushkina, head of the public organization 'Civic Assistance' which helps refugees and resettlers, while happy about the upcoming amnesty, considers the period for legalization too short. 'In two weeks people won't even have time to learn about the announced amnesty. Moreover, the migration service itself will not have time to prepare. I have repeatedly encountered that they failed to print migration cards on time or prepare all the necessary documentation,' she said. Gannushkina believes that for real effectiveness, the amnesty should be announced now, not during the New Year holidays.
Romodanovsky reported this unexpected news before the board of the FMS, which convened to sum up the results of the first stage of the implementation of the state program to support repatriates. The opening of state borders for compatriots from CIS countries and the amnesty for illegal migrants are directly linked to the adoption this year of the new law 'On Migration Registration of Foreign Citizens and Stateless Persons in the Russian Federation' as well as amendments to the law 'On the Legal Status of Foreign Citizens in the Russian Federation.' According to the new legislation, a visitor will now need almost half as many certificates, and the period for obtaining Russian citizenship will be shortened. Special privileges will be given to those who fall under the presidential program 'to assist the voluntary resettlement of compatriots living abroad.' Moreover, according to Romodanovsky, compatriots will be recognized not only as Russians but also all those who speak Russian well, are interested in the culture and life of the country, and are 'close to Russians in spirit.'
At the aforementioned board of the FMS, the most painful problem was identified - providing housing for repatriates. Of course, buying a cottage in Krasnoyarsk or an apartment in Kaliningrad solves all the housing problems of a resettler. But in almost every regional program, resettlers are offered to move into slums without utilities, build a house on a plot of land allocated by the administration, or use a mortgage loan. Until the newcomers build a house or obtain a loan (which requires at least six months of work in Russia), regional authorities recommend that thousands of people rent housing or a hotel room at their own expense.
But housing difficulties do not deter potential repatriates. According to Romodanovsky, hundreds of people dream of moving to Russia daily contact the consular office of Turkmenistan alone. To become compatriots, citizens of CIS countries must not only know Russian but also have a certain profession. The list of required specialties in 12 pilot regions mainly includes builders, agricultural workers (milkmaids, livestock breeders, machine operators), teachers, doctors, and miners. Programmers or engineers are not particularly needed by regional authorities.
According to Gzt.ru, the FMS plans to resettle newly arrived compatriots mainly in rural areas or small towns, where large-scale construction of factories, opening of automobile production lines, or expansion of ore mining is planned in the near future. Konstantin Romodanovsky believes that by exiling newcomers 'to the depths of Siberian mines,' the FMS will solve the problem of interethnic strife that would inevitably flare up in more populated areas. The main 'carrot' for attracting repatriates, according to him, should be accelerated acquisition of Russian citizenship - in just one and a half months instead of the current five years.