Latvia expels 841 Russian citizens who failed the language exam

Latvian authorities order Russians to leave the country by mid-October

According to the report Politico, the Latvian government decided to forcibly evict 841 Russian citizens, who failed the mandatory Latvian language exam. According to the publication, these people were ordered to leave the country by mid-October.

«According to available information, 841 people have been ordered to return due to failure to comply with the language requirement,» Politico reports.

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Why this happens: language requirement

Latvian legislation provides for certain language requirements for foreigners who stay in the country for a long period of time or seek to obtain a residence permit or citizenship. Failure to comply with these requirements may be grounds for cancellation of permits and forced return.

Analysts say that strengthening control over the implementation of language standards is part of Riga's policy of integration and protection of national identity in recent years.

What's next: procedures and possibilities for appeal

Persons subject to an expulsion order usually have the legal possibility to challenge the decision in the relevant authorities or to appeal. However, the processes can be lengthy and the enforcement of orders can be accelerated if the state insists on immediate return.

It is currently unknown how many of the 841 citizens managed to file appeals or use other mechanisms to protect their rights.

Reaction and context

Riga's decision comes amid a general deterioration in relations between the EU and Russia and increased attention to security and immigration in the Baltic region. With this in mind, the Latvian authorities are demonstrating a stricter approach to enforcing domestic rules on foreigners' residence.