Where in the World is Cat?

Today, on my way to my usual supermarket, I stopped by a produce kiosk to pick up some fruit. I pass this kiosk practically everyday, either on my way to the metro station or on my way to the grocery store. The woman who works at this kiosk, by my guess is Armenian - as she speaks with a bit of an accent, has European features and is darker in color than many of the Georgians that I know. She usually greats me with a smile, and has a good idea of what I'll order - scallions, a couple of tomatoes cucumbers, and either some bananas or mandarins. I decided today I'd also like some apples and yellow onion - I knew she'd be pleased - anytime I order more than usual she gets a little excited and might throw in an extra apple or two.

I walked up to the window, which usually is wide open with her sitting behind it, only to find it closed with an "Open" sign on it. I tapped on the window, figuring that she was probably cleaning up inside. The window opened and I was greeted by the unsmiling face of a young Russian woman. Hmm, I thought, I've never seen her before. Perhaps my smiling Armenian friend had a day off or fell sick.

I gave the woman my order, and after a small exchange over whether or not they had scallions (the woman insisted the scallions sitting in the window were garlic), she started putting some produce in a bag. Things in Russia are always eyed or estimated, and my Armenian friend usually uses the scale she has to sit on. However, this woman was very exact, and weighed every piece of fruit and vegetable. After calculating everything, the woman gave me the total for my purchase - twice of what I usually pay. I was a little surprised, but figured perhaps my extra items were a little more expensive than imagined. I paid, thanked the woman and went on my way.

Then I began to think. Where was my Armenian friend? Why was my purchase so much higher? Then I remembered last week’s crackdown on illegal immigrants.

About a week ago, Russia banned all sales by any person who does not own a resident license (basically, a document stating that you legally live in the area, the equivalent of our driver’s licenses or alien resident cards). Tomash, Rosario and I ventured down to the local open air market to see how it might have affected the marketplace. Needless to say, the market was almost empty. This maze of open-air tents usually bustling with people selling and buying fruits and household goods was now spotted with just a handful of Russians trying to sell outdated clothing. A drastic change.

Anyhow, I don't usually venture down to the market, and thought to myself - I didn't really like going there anyway. It was crowded and people were pushy, although the goods were cheap.

I had seen other kiosks around the city closed due to the crackdown, and thought about the poor workers and their goods that were going to waste. But did I think about it after walking by? No, I can’t really say that I did. But now, my Armenian friend is gone, my fruits and vegetables are costlier and the service is no longer personalized. The crackdown on illegal immigration was creeping into my personal life.

Then I got to thinking, would Americans support a measure like this? Are we ready to pay more for our goods and services? We will certainly have to pay more for these things, as Americans wouldn’t even think of working for the same salaries as illegal immigrants, just as Russians won’t work for the meager salaries that illegal immigrants here are happy to work for. Where exactly is the good and bad, the pros and cons in an issue like this? I know that I want my Armenian friend back, even though she and thousands of others like her pose a serious problem to the Russian economy.

Illegal immigration is just as large a problem here in Russia as it is for us in the United States. The main difference between the two problems is where the immigrants come from. For the US, they come from Mexico, Latin America and in some cases, from Eastern Europe or the Far East. For Russia, immigrants come from all over, CIS countries - Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan - countries in the Caucauses - Armenia, Georgia, - the Far East - Mongolia, the Koreas, just to name a few. And the BIG problem that Russia has that we don't - it shares borders with most of these countries. Unlike the US, Russia can't just raise security at their ports or build a wall. Russia has shares borders with over 10 countries stretching over 180,000 miles long.

I realize that the new laws are just that - new. Things change. But considering how large a part of the Russian economy illegal immigrants and unregistered sellers make up, I'm doubtful that any positive effects of the new laws will be seen soon. Prices will rise, quality in service and products will go down, and there will be many, many more homeless in Moscow soon. Seeing the effects here drives me to seriously ponder what options we have in the US.