On Friday, December 13, Russian State Duma, the lower house of parliament, tentatively approved legislation to impose tougher penalties on migrants who break registration rules in Russia.

      All foreigners living in Russia and some types of internal migrants have to be registered officially at their place of residence. Russians and foreigners could be punished by up to three years’ imprisonment, community service or fines of between 100,000 and 500,000 rubles ($3,000 to $5,000) for fictitious registration documents.

      Russians who fail to register properly at their place of residence would face fines of up to 5,000 rubles ($150). Legal entities involved in illegal registration schemes would be punished by fines of up to 800,000 rubles ($24,000).

      The presidential bill was adopted by the State Duma in its third reading and now moves to the Federation Council, the upper house of parliament.