New Delhi
The immigration and foreign bill 2025 have been introduced at the Lake Sabha on Tuesday to prevent infiltration and illegal immigration. On behalf of Amit Shah, Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai introduced the bill. He said that this bill has not been introduced to prevent anyone from coming to the country, but this bill has been brought so that foreigners should come to India. They should come here only by following the rules. However, Congress MP Manish Tiwari and TMC MP Saugat Rai have opposed the bill.
What is expected of immigration and foreigners bill 2025
The main objective of this bill is to modernize and strengthen India’s immigration rules. This bill will be given to the Central Government to enter India and regulate matters related to the needs of passports or other travel documents and matters related to foreigners in relation to persons going out. These include the need for visa and registration and matters related to it.
This bill related to immigration is very important in terms of security of the country. The responsibility of proving legal status in this bill has been put on a person instead of the state. This bill clearly ban the entry or residence of any foreign national who is a threat to India’s national security, sovereignty or integrity. It also makes it mandatory to register on all foreign arrival and their movement, name change and their entry in preserved or restricted areas are completely banned. Apart from this, institutions like educational establishments, hospitals and nursing homes will have to inform the immigration officer about the presence of foreign nationals.
Provision of strict punishment for violation of immigration rules
The proposed law also provides for strict punishment for violation of immigration rules. Illegal entry in India without a valid passport or visa can lead to imprisonment of up to five years and a fine of up to Rs 5 lakh. Those using fake documents can be imprisoned for two to seven years and a fine ranging from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 10 lakh. Staying over the time of time, violation of visa conditions or entering restricted areas can be imprisoned up to three years, a fine of up to Rs 3 lakh or both.
Transports bringing and carrying individuals without appropriate documents will also be held accountable. They can be fined up to Rs 5 lakh and their vehicles can be confiscated if they are not paid. In cases where a foreigner is denied entry. The transporter will have the responsibility to ensure his immediate departure. Immigration officers have also been given more powers in the bill. Which includes the right to arrest persons without warrant.
The central government will get more rights after this law regarding the movement of foreign nationals. This includes power to prevent departure, restrict admission and restrict access to important areas. Foreign nationals will have to get out of India at their expense. Biometric data will have to be given for the purpose of identification.
Proposed law foreign act 1946
Passport Act 1920 for admission to India
Foreigners Registration Act 1939
Immigration ie carrier obligation act 2000
There is an attempt to change the laws of many colonial era including. These laws, originally created for warships during the time of World War, are now outdated. The government argued that an integrated law is needed to modernize immigration rules and eliminate non -essential provisions.
While presenting the bill, the Minister of State for Home also emphasized that it is completely constitutional of the bill and the subject comes in the seventh Scheduled Schedule. This bill has been brought under the subject of entry and expulsion in India. He said that this bill is very important in terms of security of the country. Rai said that we are not bringing this bill to stop anyone, but those who come should follow the law of India. This bill is being brought for this. He said that before going to a foreign hospital or educational premises, its information was still provided. But till now the provision was in the form of order. Which is being brought as law.
While presenting the bill on behalf of Nityanand Rai, Congress MP Manish Tiwari opposed the bill and said that this is a violation of fundamental rights. He said that this bill is not according to the constitution and the details of foreign nationals have been sought till the hospitalization, which is against medical ethics. Tiwari demanded that this bill be withdrawn or sent to JPC.