Turkmen migrants in Russia now face a sharp rise in deportations and legal crackdowns, as Russian authorities enforce new rules and stricter measures throughout 2024 and 2025. This sweeping crackdown, which targets Central Asian migrants, has left Turkmen nationals especially vulnerable, with a critical deadline for legal status looming on September 10, 2025.
Russian officials have ramped up deportations since early 2024, expelling about 157,000 migrants for immigration violations—a 50% jump from the previous year. The trend has continued into 2025, with mass police raids and detentions reported in major cities like Moscow and St. Petersburg. These actions follow new regulations introduced on February 5, 2025, including the creation of a “controlled persons registry” at the Interior Ministry. Migrants without proper documents are now tracked more closely, and all foreigners must regularize their status by September 10, 2025, or face expulsion and a ban on re-entry.

Key Changes Affecting Turkmen Migrants
- Shorter Legal Stay: The maximum legal stay for many migrants has been cut from 180 days to 90 days. This means Turkmen migrants must renew their documents more often or risk deportation.
- Expanded Deportation Grounds: The list of reasons for deportation has grown. Even minor infractions can now lead to removal from Russia.
- Mandatory Biometric Registration: All migrants must undergo fingerprinting and provide biometric data when entering Russia or updating their status.
- New Expulsion Regime: Since February 2025, authorities can deport migrants without a court hearing, making it much harder to appeal or challenge deportation orders.
- Proposed Collective Deportations: Lawmakers are considering rules that would allow entire families to be deported if one member breaks the law.
- Education Restrictions: There are proposals to end free senior secondary education for migrant children, which would hit Turkmen families hard.
Rising Xenophobia and Security Crackdown
The March 2024 Crocus City Hall terrorist attack in Moscow, blamed on Tajik nationals, triggered a surge in anti-migrant feeling. Russian police have since carried out “sweeping” raids targeting Central Asians, including Turkmen migrants. Public opinion has shifted sharply, with more than half of Russians now supporting strict limits or outright bans on Central Asian migration.
Crocus City Hall terrorist attack triggers crackdown
Deportations ramped up
New regulations introduced
Deadline for migrants to regularize their status
27 Turkmen nationals confirmed dead in Ukraine war
Statistics and the Human Toll
- Central Asian Migrants in Russia: There are an estimated 12–14 million migrants from Central Asia in Russia, with Turkmen making up a smaller but significant group.
- Illegal Migrants: As of February 2025, about 670,000 foreigners live in Russia without legal status. More than half are women and children.
- Turkmen Casualties in Ukraine War: At least 170 Turkmen nationals have been recruited or forced to fight for Russia in Ukraine, with 27 confirmed dead as of June 2025.
Legal and Economic Impact
Turkmen migrants, especially those without documents, face growing pressure to join the Russian military. Some are recruited directly from detention centers, with promises of citizenship or to avoid deportation. Many families rely on money sent home from Russia, as Turkmenistan’s economy remains weak. Deportations threaten this vital support, pushing families into deeper poverty.
Proposed laws to end free education for migrant teenagers would further isolate Turkmen families and make it harder for their children to succeed. The new expulsion regime, which allows deportation without judicial review, increases the risk of arbitrary detention and removal.
Step-by-Step Procedures for Turkmen Migrants
To avoid deportation, Turkmen migrants must follow these steps:
- Regularize Status by September 10, 2025:
All foreign nationals must update their documents and legal status with Russian authorities before this deadline. Missing it means facing expulsion and a ban on returning. - Complete Biometric Registration:
Migrants must provide fingerprints and other biometric data when entering Russia or during the regularization process. - Show Proof of Employment:
Migrants must have valid work documents and register with the migration service to avoid being listed in the “controlled persons registry.” - Understand Limited Appeals:
With the new expulsion regime, appeals against deportation are now much harder and rarely succeed.
For more details on these requirements, migrants can visit the official Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs portal.
Stakeholders and Official Responses
- Russian Government: Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev and lawmakers have publicly supported stricter enforcement and mass deportations. The LDPR and “A Just Russia – For Truth” parties are leading calls to end free education for migrants and allow collective deportations.
- Central Asian Governments: While embassies from countries like Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan have voiced concern, they have little power to change Russian policy.
- Human Rights Groups: Organizations such as Human Rights Watch and the Global Detention Project have condemned the crackdown, warning of human rights abuses and violations of international law.
Multiple Perspectives
- Russian Authorities: Officials say the crackdown is needed for national security and public order, especially after the Crocus City Hall attack.
- Human Rights Advocates: They argue the new rules are discriminatory, break international law, and expose migrants to abuse and forced conscription.
- Central Asian Governments: These countries depend on remittances from migrants in Russia but have limited ability to protect their citizens abroad.
- Turkmen Migrants: Many face a tough choice between risking deportation in Russia or returning to poor economic conditions at home. Some are forced into undocumented status or pressured into military service.
Background and Historical Context
Russia has long been the main destination for Central Asian labor migrants. Money sent home by Turkmen workers is a lifeline for many families. However, the Crocus City Hall attack in 2024 marked a turning point, leading to a wave of new restrictions and mass deportations.
Future Outlook
The fate of hundreds of thousands of migrants, including Turkmen, depends on their ability to regularize their status before the September 10, 2025 deadline. If current trends continue, Russia may expel record numbers of Central Asian migrants later in 2025. This would have severe humanitarian and economic effects on sending countries like Turkmenistan.
Lawmakers are also considering further restrictions, including tighter rules on education and social services, and collective deportation measures. These changes could make life even harder for Turkmen migrants and their families.
Official Resources and Support
- Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD): Handles migration registration and enforcement. Migrants can check their status and deadlines on the official MVD portal.
- Embassy of Turkmenistan in Moscow: Offers consular help to Turkmen nationals.
- Human Rights Watch and Global Detention Project: Provide legal resources and advocacy for migrants facing deportation.
Expert Analysis
Legal experts and human rights advocates warn that Russia’s current approach breaks international rules, especially the principle of nonrefoulement, which bans sending people back to countries where they may face harm. The right to education for children is also at risk. Migration policy analysts point out that Russia depends on migrant labor, but its harsh new rules create a cycle of exploitation and vulnerability.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, the crackdown on Turkmen migrants in Russia is part of a wider pattern of restrictive migration policies across the region, with serious consequences for migrants’ safety and family stability.
Practical Tips for Turkmen Migrants
- Act Quickly: Start the process to update your documents as soon as possible. Don’t wait until the September 10 deadline.
- Keep Records: Always carry copies of your legal documents, work permits, and proof of registration.
- Know Your Rights: Learn about your rights and where to get help. Human rights groups and your embassy can offer support.
- Stay Informed: Follow updates from official sources and trusted organizations to avoid falling victim to scams or misinformation.
Conclusion and Next Steps
Turkmen migrants in Russia face a critical period as new laws, rising xenophobia, and security concerns drive a wave of deportations and legal crackdowns. The September 10, 2025 deadline is a key date for all migrants to regularize their status or risk expulsion. The situation is likely to get worse, with further restrictions under discussion in the Russian parliament.
For those affected, taking immediate steps to update documents, seek legal help, and stay informed is essential. Families should also prepare for possible changes in education and social services. While the future remains uncertain, understanding the new rules and acting quickly can help Turkmen migrants protect themselves and their loved ones during this challenging time.
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