International migration in the assessments of residents of Nizhny Novgorod (by the materials of the monitoring of international and interreligious relations in the Nizhny Novgorod region in 2017-2020)

The authors of the article analyze the attitude of Nizhny Novgorod residents to the migration situation and to foreign migrants living in the region. The analysis is based on data from monitoring of interethnic and interfaith relations commissioned by the Ministry of Internal Regional and Municipal Policy of the Nizhny Novgorod Region in 2017-2020. The investigation shows that the mood of local residents towards migrants is neutral and benevolent, although there is still a number of those who are negatively disposed towards them. Antipathy towards migrants and a negative assessment of their role in interethnic relations and in the region in general is based mainly on cultural and behavioral differences. Thereafter, Nizhny Novgorod residents assess international migration as a rather contradictory phenomenon. In this regard the regional authorities are offered to pay the special attention to the development of comprehensive programs including both adaptation programs for migrants and special information programs for region’ residents.