Post-Soviet Immigrants in Germany: Current Research Perspectives

Abstract

Post-Soviet immigrants are the biggest immigrant group in present-day German society. They comprise two major ethno-administrative categories: Russian-German “late resettlers” (Spätaussiedler) and Russian-Jewish “quota refugees” (Kontingentflüchtlinge). While the differences between these migrations are pertinent and well documented, identifications and social formations among the migrants are not static but have evolved significantly during the quarter century that has passed since the bulk of them moved to Germany. This contribution will attempt to sketch in broad strokes the main characteristics of this heterogeneous entity of post-Soviet migrants in Germany. It will discuss the historical background and legal frameworks and integration regimes of post-Soviet migration to Germany, as well as select salient aspects of the current situation of post-Soviet immigrants in German society: language usage and identities among them, perceptions of and prejudice toward them, as well as their political attitudes and transnational practices. © 2020, Springer Nature Switzerland AG.