“Us” or “Them”: Internal Migrants in the Perceptions of the Siberian Cities’ Citizens (on the Example of Irkutsk, Krasnoyarsk and Tomsk)

Introduction. The study examines the process of civic identity formation in contemporary Russia in relation to the production and crossing of boundaries between “imagined communities”. Most existing research focuses on how cross-border migration influences the host community’s rethinking of its identity. At the same time, internal migrants, being part of the same society, can impact the identification of the “us-group” within the country. Studying this issue is crucial for understanding the configuration and structure of civic identity from the perspective of maintaining and preserving social solidarity. The authors analyze the influence of internal migration on the perceptions of residents in three Siberian cities regarding “us” and “them.” The aim of the study was to identify the mechanisms by which members of the “us-group” construct boundaries with respect to internal migrants, as well as the degree of permeability of these boundaries. Materials and Methods. The authors based their research on 9 focus groups with citizens of Irkutsk, Krasnoyarsk, and Tomsk, aged 18–36, conducted in 2023. Respondents were recruited using snowball sampling. The material was analyzed using thematic axial data coding, performed in the MAXQDA program, and discourse analysis. Results. It was found that respondents perceive both internal and cross-border migrants as individuals who fall into the gaps of a dense communication network, where integration into this network is the primary criterion for belonging to the “us-group” of civic identity holders. The study found that internal migration contributes to the formation of boundaries between locals and newcomers at the local level. Communication breakdowns occur between urban residents and rural migrants, which serve as the main reason for locals to exclude newcomers. However, the permeability of borders is more evident for internal migrants than for cross-border migrants. The research confirms that the key factors for the integration of newcomers into the host community are their inclusion in local social networks and their ability to navigate and use the urban environment. Discussion and Conclusion. Internal migrants are able to bridge the gap to the host society much faster than cross-border migrants, which supports the thesis of strengthening civic identity in Russia. Nevertheless, the emerging communication breakdowns carry a potential for conflict and pose a threat to social solidarity. In this respect, the findings of the study may be useful in the development of migration policies, not only by drawing attention to the issue of internal migration, but also by highlighting key problems whose solution becomes a strategic priority.