IMMIGRATION AND FOREIGNERS BILL 2025

GS2 POLITY: 

Overview:

• Scheduled for introduction in India’s Budget session from March 10, 2025, by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.
• Aims to modernize and consolidate immigration laws by replacing four old laws from the early 20th century, enacted during unique historical periods like the World Wars.

Objectives:

• Create a clear, comprehensive legal framework for immigration.
• Remove overlapping legal provisions.
• Clarify roles for immigration officers and the Bureau of Immigration.
• Simplify passport and visa requirements for better understanding and compliance.

Key Features:

• Composed of six chapters and 35 clauses.
• Defines duties of immigration officers and foreign nationals’ registration process.
• Mandates clear responsibilities for educational and health institutions hosting foreigners.

Entry and Stay:

• Establishes strict entry and residency criteria.
• Allows immigration officers to deny entry for reasons like national security or public health, with their decisions being final.
• Aims to reduce ambiguity in entry denial practices.

Penalties:

• Severe punishments for immigration breaches:
  • Up to 5 years imprisonment or ₹5 lakh fine for entering without proper documents.
  • Penalties for visa overstays or using fake documents, with imprisonment up to 7 years.

State Government Role:

• Empowers state police to handle detection and deportation of undocumented migrants, decentralizing immigration management.

Detention and Supervision:

• Refers to supervised residential areas for foreigners rather than ‘detention centres’.
• States can set up facilities for those awaiting deportation, with specific rules for maintaining order.

Tracking Foreigners:

• Introduces systems for monitoring foreigners’ movements.
• Encourages states to track visa overstays.
• Utilizes a Foreigners Identification Portal to prevent fraudulent document acquisition by illegal migrants