IMMIGRANT INTEGRATION IN CONTEMPORARY RUSSIA

Naronskaya Anna¹*, Polyakova Victoria^2
1 Assoc. Prof. PhD, Ural Federal University, RUSSIAN FEDERATION, naronsk.an@mail.ru
² Assoc. Prof. PhD, Ural Federal University, RUSSIAN FEDERATION, vika.polyakova@urfu.ru
*Corresponding author

Abstract
The article discusses some aspects of immigrant integration in Russia. Migration is a vital problem for Russia. Russia is a country with rising inflow of migrants, especially from the territory of the former Soviet republics. Such active migration process determines negative image of migration in Russian society. Russians feel anxious about migrants. Therefore, the paper aims to define the factors that impede the integration of immigrants. The first problem is that modern Russia has an ethnic model of the nation. Russian citizens often have a painful reaction to the growing influx of immigrants. As a result, Russian people look at immigration as a threat for the national security and the cultural homogeneity of Russian nation. The second factor is the lack of effective legal mechanisms of immigration processes. Such laws as «On the Legal Status of Foreign Citizens» (2002), «On Citizenship of the Russian Federation» (2002) have complicated the naturalization process for immigrants. It became more difficult to get Russian citizenship than it was in the previous ten years. Since 2005, the Federal center tried to change immigration policy. In 2006 appeared a government program "On the support of compatriots", from 2007 work permit procedures have been simplified for international workers, finally, quotas for foreign workers have been raised considerably in 2008. However, according to experts, these actions did not change the situation. Ultimately, widespread corruption also has a negative effect on development of Russian integration policy. Sometimes government officials are self-interested in failure of immigrant integration. They do not need a transparent labour market and an effective recruitment of foreign workers. Our research shows that it is very important for government to give a possible response for public rejection of immigrants. Russian society needs effective legal, social and economic tools of immigrant integration. The Concept of Migration Policy of Russian Federation up to 2025, adopted in June 2012, became an answer on the immigrant integration problems. Suggested solutions will be taken into account and discussed.

Keywords: immigration, integration, migration policy, political process, Russia.