Why Tighten Labor Immigration Policy in Wartime? Xenophobia and Military Mobilization in Russia *

Why do states restrict labor immigration during wartime when they need manpower the most?Despite the significant impact of war and security threats on immigration, few studies have explored the politics of immigration during wartime.Previous research has indicated that states at war adopt open labor immigration policies to acquire manpower and increase the production of goods and services.Yet Russia presents a puzzling case, having tightened restrictions on labor immigration during the Ukraine war.Based on a case study of Russia, this article argues that states may tighten labor immigration policies during wartime for two reasons.First, when public anti-immigrant sentiment intensifies, wartime states may adopt restrictive labor immigration policies to mobilize popular support among citizens.Second, restrictive labor immigration policies can strengthen states' capacity to recruit military personnel by increasing migrants' legal vulnerability and making military service-based citizenship more attractive.By showing the importance of public opinion and military considerations in immigration policymaking during wartime, this article contributes to the literature on immigration policy and the politics of wartime Russia.