Mass deportation scheduled for October: Latvia pushes "de-Russification"

Mass Deportation Scheduled for October: Latvia Expelling Russians

More than 800 Russian passport holders must leave the country by mid-October

Latvia has started deporting residents who hold Russian passports. More than 840 people have received notice from the State Immigration Service, requiring them to leave the country's territory before October 13.

We are not talking about illegal immigrants who entered the country illegally. Regarding those who have lived permanently in Latvia for many years (most of whom are over 70 years old), they have a residence permit. However, they have not passed the Latvian language exam.

The fact is that residents of the Republic of Latvia who obtained Russian passports after 2023 must submit documents for EU permanent residency, including a certificate of passing the national language exam, by June 30, 2025, to extend their permanent residency permits. The amendment to the Migration Law approved by the local council three years ago set these requirements.

According to data from the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (OCMA), the number of Russians with residence permits in Latvia reached 51,000 by 2022. So far, this number has decreased to 45,000. In 2023, slightly more than 40% of participants passed the language exam, while the rest had two years to prepare.

Meanwhile, according to Maira Rose, head of the department, 841 people have had their residence permits expire, and they have not been issued new ones or passed the language exam. Therefore, they have been ordered to leave Latvia by October 13. Otherwise, deportation.

As Colonel Gatis Ruzs, head of the Riga Department of the National Border Service, told Latvian Television (LTV), these people "will either be placed in foreigner detention centers, or if it is considered humanitarian, they will be allowed to stay at the registration location until the deportation procedure is completed."

For approximately two thousand Russian passport holders who did not pass the Latvian exam, there is still a chance to try again before the end of September. Rose pointed out that if they succeed, they will be able to remain in the country, but this is their last opportunity.

Recall that according to estimates as of January 1, 2025, Latvia's population is about 1.8 million. Over 40% of them speak Russian. At the same time, the use of Russian in service departments, schools, and kindergartens is prohibited. Moreover, the legislative body is discussing an initiative to prohibit speaking Russian in public places and public spaces.

So "civilized" Western countries are unlikely to adapt to these Russian seniors. For example, the European Commission has clearly stated that it will not interfere with the practice of expelling Russian citizens from the EU due to not knowing the national language.

The question is: Are we ready to accept these people? Can we provide them with a decent level of housing, work, and pension?

SP asks political scientist and head of Baltnews Agency Andrei Starikov to comment on this situation:

- Of course, we will see these people. These are Russian citizens who will be expelled by the Latvian authorities to Russia. They will likely be received by the border areas - these are the Pskov and Kaliningrad regions.

Of course, in this case, if they do not have close relatives elsewhere in Russia, they can go there.

Indeed, regional authorities have prepared for at least two years. Because the Latvian authorities announced their intention to start this expulsion practice long ago when they passed the amendment to the local migration law. We have discussed this issue with the authorities of Pskov and Kaliningrad. If at some point, when this issue is unresolved and outlined, say, the local authorities are hesitant, everyone is waiting for signals from the federal authorities on how to proceed in such cases. So far, the reception practice has been tested because there have already been individual, targeted expulsions.

And I must say that our compatriots who have to face this discriminatory policy in Latvia have been received with dignity. Representatives of the regional authorities participated in these meetings, which is important and symbolic. In a way, every local official should realize that this issue is a priority.

Of course, municipal housing has been counted. Not everyone, not everyone, the issue is the capacity of the region. After all, we are also in the context of a special military operation, not only migrants from the Baltic states arrive in Russia. In fact, the periphery has a residential background, and most of the poor we usually mock in the Baltic states will settle there. Moreover, for example, in the Kaliningrad region, laws have already been established to pay a down payment for people expelled from unfriendly countries. This means the issue is being handled systematically.

Yes, the money is small. But this amount is enough to draft some main documents. After all, although they are Russian citizens, these people have mostly never been to Russia. They are unfamiliar with our bureaucratic reality. They do not have personal taxpayer identification numbers, for example, they do not have SNILS.

"SP": That means these people will not be left to fate, we will take care of them?

- Of course, we will. It is our duty. If we look at the experience of individual expellees, it is a positive experience. People got municipal housing, they got legal support, just companionship... You know, when an elderly person really needs to be guided by the authorities, calmed down and supported - not only real things, but even a polite word from the administration. When the governor meets you, it shows that you are at home, you need you. The situation is certainly tragic, but life does not end. Perhaps this is the best. Because our compatriots, the Russian people in the Baltic states are seeing their legal status deteriorate rapidly.

Similarly, the pension payment issues being constantly undermined by Latvia are important for these people. Moreover, it is used for anti-Russian propaganda purposes - they say, we are ready to accept money, but Russians don't pay. And unfortunately, it is impossible to influence Latvia's jurisdiction in this regard.

"SP": Can we cope with so many new citizens?

- Regional authorities have publicly stated this. Of course, no one promised to form a military band and spend money. The country faces many challenges. However, we have the responsibility to welcome our compatriots in a dignified manner.

Also, the flow we can predict is not that large. Because among these 840 people, not all will settle in Russia. Because the reality of the Baltic states is such that many pensioners' children work in the West - Germany, Britain, Ireland. They will receive their parents and grandparents there.

Some have relatives in Russia and will be received by them. That is, the burden on the regional authorities (if we are talking about regional budgets and housing stock) is slightly reduced.

Some of them may challenge the revocation of their residence permits in court. At least during the court proceedings, this may slow down their expulsion process. Although uncertain, this will play a role in Latvia.

Of course, what the Latvian authorities are doing completely violates all democratic norms. Yes, just human beings. But I hope these people find their true home here.

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7548776487533412918/

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