Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Zorro

(17,707 posts)
Sun Jul 6, 2025, 09:56 PM Jul 6

Russia's 'anti-woke' visa lures those fearing a moral decline in the West

A network of Kremlin-backed influencers seek to portray Russia as a bastion of traditional values in an attempt to attract those who deplore Western “liberalism.”

In a brightly lit conference room of a Moscow police department, a smiling officer flanked by Russian flags and gilded double-headed eagles handed over small blue booklets to an American family of five — asylum certificates granting them the right to live and work in Russia after fleeing Texas because they felt their way of life was under threat.

“I feel like I’ve been put on an ark of safety for my family,” 61-year-old Leo Hare said at the time. “I want to thank President [Vladimir] Putin for allowing Russia to become a good place for families in this world climate.”

“In a small way it feels like I just got married to Russia,” echoed his wife, Chantelle Hare, 51. “I look forward to building a future here with my family. I look forward to the opportunities that my sons will have here.”

Footage of the ceremony, shared on the Interior Ministry’s official media channels, was accompanied by a caption declaring that “yet another American family choose our country to live in … understanding that in our country traditional values are protected by the state.”

The Hare family, devout Christians who ran a farm in Texas, describe themselves as a family of “moral migrants” and have emerged as the face of a small but growing trend of Westerners relocating to Russia in search of the traditional, conservative values they feel are eroding in the liberal West. Their journey reflects the ideological narrative Putin has spent years crafting: Russia as the guardian of family-centered traditions amid a Western world spiraling into moral and social decay.

https://wapo.st/45XiEkU

I wonder how long it will be before they are clamoring to return to Texas.
19 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Russia's 'anti-woke' visa lures those fearing a moral decline in the West (Original Post) Zorro Jul 6 OP
traditional conservative values Skittles Jul 6 #1
the last ones had all their money stolen WhiteTara Jul 6 #2
I know that Canadian family got fleeced Captain Zero Jul 6 #3
womp womp WhiteTara Jul 6 #11
That doesn't seem to be true Kaleva Jul 7 #15
They better hope.... reACTIONary Jul 6 #4
Uh, "anti-woke" is the definition of moral decline. UTUSN Jul 6 #5
I hope this really catches on hurl Jul 6 #6
Right? electricmonk Jul 7 #14
See ya. tanyev Jul 6 #7
Tucker Carlson seemed happy about Russia. Norrrm Jul 6 #8
Good, I'll pack you a lunch. PlanetBev Jul 6 #9
good riddance to bad rubbish harumph Jul 6 #10
I am extremely happy they left CanonRay Jul 7 #12
The White Xtian Russia is just propaganda targeted to JI7 Jul 7 #13
She will enjoy seeing her sons drafted into the army and sent off to war as cannon fodder. scarletlib Jul 7 #16
We should be encouraging others to join them over there. nt Hotler Jul 7 #17
TEXAS was too fucking woke for these people... Volaris Jul 7 #18
Yes!! GaYellowDawg Jul 7 #19

WhiteTara

(30,960 posts)
2. the last ones had all their money stolen
Sun Jul 6, 2025, 10:04 PM
Jul 6

and their lives were a misery. I wonder how long these will last. lol

Captain Zero

(8,166 posts)
3. I know that Canadian family got fleeced
Sun Jul 6, 2025, 10:08 PM
Jul 6

Of all their savings that they took to Russia with them.

Kaleva

(39,663 posts)
15. That doesn't seem to be true
Mon Jul 7, 2025, 03:30 AM
Jul 7

“After just over a year in the Nizhniy Novgorod region, whose climate and topography are remarkably similar to that of Saskatchewan, the Feenstras have acquired a 280-acre homestead, built a house, gained three-year residency permits, and are gearing up to start raising livestock and growing crops this spring.“

https://www.csmonitor.com/layout/set/amphtml/World/Europe/2025/0311/russia-migrants-canada-west-melting-pot

reACTIONary

(6,596 posts)
4. They better hope....
Sun Jul 6, 2025, 11:03 PM
Jul 6

“I look forward to the opportunities that my sons will have here.”

.... their sons don't die face down in the mud in Ukraine. The Russian army is not an all volunteer army.

electricmonk

(2,011 posts)
14. Right?
Mon Jul 7, 2025, 02:56 AM
Jul 7

I'll even kick in a few bucks on their GoFundMe if it gets them out of here faster.

PlanetBev

(4,359 posts)
9. Good, I'll pack you a lunch.
Sun Jul 6, 2025, 11:31 PM
Jul 6

And don’t forget to take the new luggage.

The less bible-beaters, the better off America.

JI7

(92,348 posts)
13. The White Xtian Russia is just propaganda targeted to
Mon Jul 7, 2025, 02:47 AM
Jul 7

racist white xtians in the west..

GaYellowDawg

(5,031 posts)
19. Yes!!
Mon Jul 7, 2025, 11:09 AM
Jul 7

Let them ALL move to Russia! Let’s have a MAGA mass migration! That’s how you make America great!!

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Russia's 'anti-woke' visa...