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Head of migration service doubts migration amnesty

The official reminded that in 2007-2008 illegal immigrants were offered to come forward and pay the fine to receive a legitimate migration card, but only a fraction of a percent responded

MOSCOW, December 09. /ITAR-TASS/. Head of Russia’s migration service Konstantin Romadanovsky does not think a migration amnesty could be reasonable.

He referred to the latest experience. In 2007-2008, he said, foreign citizens, staying illegally in the Russian Federation, were asked “to come to the migration authorities, to pay a fine, to receive a new migration card.”

“At that time, the number of those staying and working in Russia illegally was three-four-five million,” he said. And only “2,200 people turned out.”

Besides, Russia introduced three and a half years earlier the system of patents for foreign citizens.

“We do not apply quotas to those patents, and every foreign citizen may receive one,” Romadanovsky said calling the institute of patents a “major indulgence for a legal stay in the Russian Federation.” However, “this year, 1 million 200 received them this year, and the risk group list contains three times more names.”

Thus, Romadanovsky says, “it is complicated to believe once we announce an amnesty illegal migrants will show up.” “Honestly speaking, I doubt success /of an amnesty/, I am pessimistic about it,” he said.

Earlier, Russian business’ ombudsman Boris Titov suggested organizing an amnesty for migrants.