Source: Economic Times
Context: The Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025, was introduced in Lok Sabha to streamline immigration laws governing the entry, stay, and exit of foreigners in India.
- The Opposition raised concerns over its constitutional validity and sought its referral to a Joint Parliamentary Committee.
About Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025:
What is the Immigration Bill?
- The bill aims to consolidate and modernize existing immigration laws in India.
- It seeks to replace four existing laws:
- The Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920
- The Registration of Foreigners Act, 1939
- The Foreigners Act, 1946
- The Immigration (Carriers’ Liability) Act, 2000
Nodal Ministry
- Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government of India
- Regulation of Foreign Nationals: Mandates passport and visa requirements for entry and stay in India.
- Establishes a clear legal framework for deportation, detention, and registration.
- Centralized Database & Monitoring: Introduces digital tracking of foreigners, ensuring real-time immigration data.
- Makes hospitals, universities, and institutions responsible for reporting foreign nationals.
- Streamlining Existing Laws: Eliminates redundant and outdated provisions from pre-Constitution laws.
- Brings immigration regulations under a single comprehensive law.
- No Appeal Mechanism for Immigration Officers’ Decisions: Grants immigration officers absolute authority in deciding entry and stay.
- Critics argue this violates natural justice and constitutional rights.
Provisions for Immigration in India
- The Citizenship Act, 1955: Governs acquisition, renunciation, and termination of Indian citizenship.
- The Foreigners Act, 1946: Regulates the entry and exit of foreigners in India.
- The Visa Regulations: Issued under the Passport Act, 1920, defining entry conditions.
- Refugee Policies: Though India is not a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention, it provides asylum on a case-by-case basis (e.g., Tibetans, Sri Lankan Tamils, Rohingyas).
