Migration Roundup (29 September – 2 October)

Last week we asked you how often we should publish our roundups of migration news. Opinion was split. We decided the best solution would be a compromise — publishing the roundup twice a week. We will be doing so on Tuesdays and Fridays.

1. Georgia has released on bail the Russian national Mikhail Timofeev, whom it had been preparing to extradite to Russia. The UN Committee had earlier demanded that Georgia suspend his surrender.
2. Switzerland has refused asylum to a Russian same-sex couple and ordered them to return to Russia.
3. Estonia’s parliament will consider a bill restricting property purchases by Russian and Belarusian citizens.
4. The Lithuanian government has approved a ban on Russians and Belarusians buying homes near military facilities (it has yet to be passed by the Seimas).
5. A bill has been introduced in the Latvian Saeima that would open up permanent residence to Ukrainians. For men, however, it will only be available with a certificate of exemption from mobilisation.
6. The Latvian Saeima will give its assessment of the idea of a complete ban on dual citizenship with Russia. The initiative is linked to attempts to strip Russian billionaire Pyotr Aven of his Latvian citizenship.
7. The US Supreme Court has allowed Trump to resume deporting migrants to third countries.
8. The Trump administration has begun removing some LGBT asylum seekers to countries where same-sex relationships are criminalised.
9. From 1 October, many immigrants who are legally present in the US but have not yet received a green card will lose access to Medicaid, Medicare and CHIP.
10. Luxembourg is changing its residence permit procedure.
11. Japan has raised its residence permit fee for foreign nationals twentyfold. Applicants for permanent residence will also have to meet new income and Japanese language requirements.

Chuzhie (“Outsiders”) is a Russian-speaking community of lawyers defending migrants in Europe. If you need help, write to us here or by email.