New bill in Russia: disobeying a border guard to become deportable offense

Expanding deportation grounds

Russian State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin has announced plans to expand the list of offenses for which migrants can be deported. Writing on his Telegram channel on July 6, Volodin said a bill to that effect is expected to be submitted within days.

Under the proposal, migrants would face deportation for “disobeying a lawful order or demand from a military service member in connection with the performance of duties to guard the state border of the Russian Federation.” The list would also include “discrimination — the violation of the rights, freedoms, and legitimate interests of a person based on sex, race, skin color, nationality, language, age, or religion,” Volodin said. He added that the amendments would help “improve public safety and bring order to the migration sphere.”

Background

In March 2026, Russia’s Interior Ministry drafted a bill that would mandate expulsion for foreign nationals committing 20 types of violations. Proposed grounds included violating emergency regime requirements, participating in activities of a foreign or international “undesirable” organization, engaging in unauthorized rallies, coercing others to join or refrain from striking, and committing petty hooliganism by disobeying police orders.

Russian authorities began tightening migration policy after the terrorist attack at the Crocus City Hall concert venue outside Moscow in March 2024. They also introduced a registry of monitored individuals — which people can land on by mistake — and a mandatory Russian-language test for foreign children to enroll in school.

Other restrictions

Authorities also restricted simplified residency permits for foreign nationals married to Russian citizens. Under a Finance Ministry initiative proposed in February 2026, migrants’ children would have to obtain their own work permit when they turn 18 — or leave Russia, unless they have other legal grounds to stay.