Americans move to Russia for ‘traditional values’ under new asylum visa programme

(Image: AFP)

Russia has begun granting “shared values” visas to conservative Americans seeking what they call “spiritual asylum,” with at least 700 people approved since President Vladimir Putin signed a decree launching the programme in August 2024, the Washington Post reported. Among the recipients is the Hare family from Texas, whose public asylum ceremony in Moscow was filmed and promoted by Russian state media as a symbol of Russia’s role as a haven for traditional family values.

The Hares — devout Christians who ran a farm in Texas — said they moved because they no longer felt safe or aligned with the cultural direction of the United States. “I feel like I’ve been put on an ark of safety for my family,” said Leo Hare, 61, thanking Putin for allowing Russia to be “a good place for families in this world climate.”

Russia’s ‘anti-woke’ visa drive

The Hares are among the first Americans to receive asylum under a new initiative signed by Putin in August 2024: the “shared values” visa, informally known as the “anti-woke” visa. It offers residency and potential citizenship to people from dozens of countries considered “unfriendly” to Russia, including the United States, who profess alignment with what the Russian government defines as “traditional spiritual and moral values.”

Since its introduction, nearly 700 people have been approved for the visa, according to Russian lawmaker Maria Butina. A controversial figure in the US, Butina was convicted in 2018 of acting as an unregistered foreign agent and later deported. Today, she’s not only a member of Russia’s parliament but also a vocal proponent of the visa through her “Welcome to Russia” initiative and a state TV show aimed at Western conservatives.

While Russian officials claim they aren’t actively recruiting these ideological migrants, the effort is unmistakable. RT, the state-backed media network under Western sanctions, funds an ecosystem of bloggers and influencers who amplify messages that echo Putin’s worldview. Their content emphasizes patriotism, gender norms, opposition to LGBTQ+ rights, and distrust of Western governments and institutions.

A carefully curated message

Videos shared across YouTube and Telegram feature American or Australian families extolling the virtues of life in Russia. They highlight affordable health care, free education, “traditional family roles,” and the absence of LGBTQ+ rights. One relocation service even lists Russia’s anti-LGBTQ+ laws as a “benefit,” underscoring the ideological alignment that defines the appeal.

For the Hares, and others like them, the final push came from a combination of factors: disillusionment with American politics, frustration over gender identity debates, and fears over immigration. Leo Hare cited Trump’s failure to “punish traitors” after the 2020 election and warned that the US was being overrun by “corrupt elites.”

Their decision to leave was also shaped by online voices: expat influencers like Dan Castle and Tim Kirby who promote Russia as a conservative utopia. Some of these creators have ties to Kremlin-funded groups and help produce the very narrative that the Russian government wants to project globally.

Life in Russia isn’t always idyllic

But for many families, the move is not without hardship. The Hares themselves say they were defrauded of $50,000 after arriving in Russia and have struggled to get help from local authorities. Another family, the Feenstras from Canada, found their bank accounts frozen shortly after relocating. In a visibly emotional video, they admitted to second-guessing their move—only to later recant their statements under what seemed like pressure to stay in line.

Despite the challenges, the Russian government continues to promote its vision of a family-first society. Measures like “maternal capital”—a cash grant to new mothers—and extended parental leave are touted as signs of support for large, conservative families. These incentives are also part of a broader demographic strategy, as Russia grapples with a declining birthrate and losses from war.

A haven for some, but not for all

Whether Russia can or should be a destination for conservative migration remains contested. Many of the newcomers feel they have finally found a place where their values are shared by the state, their religious faith is accepted, and their children can grow up without being “confused” by progressive social norms.

Yet for all its pageantry and promises, Russia offers no guarantees. Bureaucracy is dense, infrastructure uneven, and the language barrier formidable. While some American migrants say they feel safer and freer, others acknowledge that they’re walking a narrow ideological line—one misstep away from legal trouble, financial risk, or disillusionment.

Still, for families like the Hares, the gamble seems worth it. “I liked [Putin’s] policies, how he was trying to restore pride in Russia, restore patriotism,” Leo Hare said. “In a small way,” his wife Chantelle added, “it feels like I just got married to Russia.”