Thousands of African migrants including Nigerians face deportation from Russia after having come to the country during the 2018 World Cup on a “Fan ID” that allowed spectators to bypass the country’s usual visa requirements.
While most came purely to watch the football, others had plans to stay on and find work.
Some believed they could claim asylum in Russia or that the country would be a stepping-stone to life in Europe.
But eight months after the World Cup, their hopes have been dashed and the Russian interior ministry has said it is stepping up measures to deport all over-staying guests by the end of March.
– Little hope of asylum –
With the help of the Civic Assistance Committee, an organisation that works with refugees in Russia, some migrants have put in an application for permanent asylum.
There is little hope, however, of it being granted. Official figures show that in 2017, Russia gave full refugee status to just 33 people.
One such immigrant is Solomon, who came during the World Cup to watch Nigeria play — his home side. He already had plans to stay on after the tournament.
At first, the 31-year-old found work as a gardener but is now unemployed.
“In Nigeria, there is no job, no good politics, no good life,” the engineering graduate said.
“I just want to stay here for a little time, so that I am able to work, get some money and go to another place.”
He is “very worried” about the interior ministry’s March deadline, but says he has no plans to leave of his own accord.
– Trafficking victims –
A few in extreme circumstances have been granted leave to stay beyond March.
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Victoria came from Nigeria on a World Cup ticket with plans to study in Russia, but on arrival, the 22-year-old discovered she had been trafficked into prostitution.
A woman came to meet her at the airport, took her back to a flat and told her to take off her clothes.
“She took my passport and my Fan ID,” Victoria said.
After being forced to work as a street prostitute, Victoria got in touch with the anti-trafficking NGO Alternativa and managed to escape.
The organisation has helped her obtain permission to remain until the summer, and she has found some work in a shoe repair shop.
“I want to stay in Russia,” she told AFP at the NGO’s central Moscow office.
“Not to stay permanently — I just want to have some money, so that at least when I go back to Nigeria I can start a business.”
But others who were trafficked, like 20-year-old Progress, remain in a state of limbo.
Alternativa is preparing an application for an extension so that “maybe I can stay in Russia,” said the young Nigerian woman, who was also forced into prostitution.
“A lot of the girls who came with me are still working. They are too scared to leave.”
