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Abstract
The article examines Russians’ concepts of migrant integration into Russian society. The research was carried out in two stages: a qualitative phase (2022–2023), which included interviews (N=100) and focus groups (N=40) conducted in five Russian regions (Moscow, the Republic of Bashkortostan, Sverdlovsk Oblast, the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), and Yaroslavl Oblast), and a quantitative phase (2024), based on an all-Russian online survey (N=4,968). The findings reveal that many Russians conceptualize migrant integration as achievable. According to these concepts, integration primarily involves migrants aligning their lifestyles with societal norms as understood by the host community. Expectations include adherence to laws, proficiency in the Russian language, and respect for the host society and its culture, as these are considered foundational to daily life and social “normalcy”. At the same time, visible expressions of cultural distinctiveness, such as public prayers or wearing a hijab, are often conceptualized as markers of “otherness” and, in some cases, as signs of reluctance to integrate. While cultural diversity is nominally seen as compatible with integration, its overt manifestations are sometimes perceived as an imposition of foreign norms or a sign of disrespect toward the host society. The study highlights the complexity and contradictions in the concepts of migrant integration among the Russian population.
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