According to some Russian newspapers, there is currently a new Russian emigration wave to the West, specifically to Europe, Canada and the U.S. This wave is also known as “quiet emigration.” Because of the economical crisis in Russia, tens of thousands of managers, entrepreneurs and middle class professionals lose their jobs and seek employment abroad.
There were four major waves of Russian immigration to the US. The first one started in 1917, after the October Revolution, which consisted of mainly political immigrants escaping the Bolsheviks. The second wave was in late 1940’s, after World War II. The third wave took place in the 1970′s when hundreds of thousands Russian Jews emigrated as political refugees. The most recent and fourth major wave came in the 1990′s after the fall of the Soviet Union.
This new wave of immigration, if it were to happen, would be the fifth major wave of immigration. While some project the certainty of new people to the West; no one projects a wave larger than what took places in the early 90’s. However, if the unemployment level in Russia decreases or stays at the current (relatively high level) – this situation might change. The number of Russian immigrants to the United States has the potential to increase dramatically.
Recent immigrants to the U.S. are highly educated professionals, many of whom suffer the consequences of the current economic climate in Russia. Some of these people have been known to keep their Russian citizenship in the hope that the Russian situation might turn around.
For instance, some people have been known to buy real estate and live in two countries traveling back and forth. Another example, immigrants who have come on business or student visas, often return to their native Russia. Finally, of course there are illegal immigrants; one might say these are people that have fallen victim to the economic troubles found in Russia.
Today, the immigration issue continues to be a topic of debate, with a myriad of opinion on the matter. Some Americans are against open immigration, while others believe it is essential for the success of this country. Regardless of one’s position, most people agree that immigrants come to the United States in order to achieve a better life; a piece of the American dream.
Elena Lauterbach.
Eastern European Team Lead at Allied Media Corp.
Please see the following links for more information:
www.novayagazeta.ru/data/2008/color46/00.html
http://www.newizv.ru/news/2009-02-10/105471
