Immigration And Foreigners Bill Introduced In Parliament: All About Its Provisions & Changes

The Immigration and Foreigners Bill is aimed at streamlining various services related to immigration and foreigners, including their entry, exit and stay in India.

Immigration and Foreigners Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.

Source : ABPLIVE AI

The centre has introduced a new draft bill seeking to streamline various services related to immigration and foreigners, including their entry, exit and stay in the country.

The Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025, that has been introduced in the Lok Sabha, will replace the Immigration (Carriers’ Liability) Act, 2000, and three pre-independence laws, the Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920, the Registration of Foreigners Act, 1939, and the Foreigners Act, 1936.  

The proposed legislation stated that the existing acts are not only of "pre-Constitution period, but also, they were brought into extraordinary times of first and second world wars."

What Does The Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025 Entail?

The Immigration and Foreigners Bill is aimed at streamlining various services related to immigration and foreigners, including their entry, exit and stay in India.

The entry, stay and exit of foreigners from India are currently governed by the Registration of Foreigners Act, 1939, and the Foreigners Act, 1946.

The Bill establishes a Bureau of Immigration for performing the immigration functions and such other functions as may be
prescribed. 

The Bill allows the government to bar foreigners from entering or staying in case of threats to the national security, sovereignty and integrity or if there is a public health issue.

The Bill allows the centre to regulate or restrict the entry of foreigner or any specified class of foreigners into India or their departure.

It also states that a foreigner "shall not enter India, or shall enter India only at such times and by such route and at such port or place and subject to the observance of such
conditions on arrival." Moreover, the government can regulate that a foreigner can not remain in any 'specified area' if required.

The draft bill also clarifies and expands the government’s powers on the ability to control the entry, exit, and stay of foreigners.

What Has Govt, Oppn Said On The Bill?

Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai has said the central government has all the rights under the Union list to bring legislations on the subject. 

He asserted that while tourists were welcome to come to India, it was the government's responsibility to ensure peace and sovereignty of the nation remain intact. 

However, the opposition has raised concerns over the bill and claimed that it violates the fundamental laws. Congress leader Manish Tewari said the bill is violative of multiple provisions of the Constitution and various laws. He said the bill violates the principle of fundamental rights and the government may use the provisions of the proposed law to deny entry to those who are not in sync with the ideology of the ruling dispensation of the day. 

Saugata Roy of the TMC said the proposed law could prevent inflow of talent from outside in various fields.