The head of the Federation of Immigrants in Russia, Muhammad Amin Madzhumder, has requested that President Vladimir Putin grant amnesty to millions of illegal immigrants working in the country's shadow economy, Izvestia reported Wednesday.
"Due to the shadow economy and the growth of illegal immigration, the state budget does not receive several billion rubles annually," Madzhumder said in a letter to Putin. Immigrants "are willing to pay taxes and comply with the laws and traditions of the Russian Federation."
There are about 10 million illegal immigrants in Russia, said the letter, which Izvestia received but Putin's spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, said he hadn't. The Federal Migration Service also said it didn't get the letter.
United Russia Deputy Dmitry Sablin told Izvestia that the government must decide how many migrant workers are needed. "If 10 million people are working, are needed and do not violate the law, then the government can increase the quota" of legal immigrants, he said.
Vyacheslav Postavin, former deputy head of the Federal Migration Service, said a similar amnesty took place in Russia from 2006 to 2007, when the government conducted legalization.
In October, the Federal Migration Service said there were 3.5 million illegal immigrants in Russia. But Postavin agreed with the letter's estimate: 10 million.
Related articles:
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
