Ministry : Lok Sabha Secretariat (Not Applicable)
Part II-Section 2
Subject : Extra Ordinary
Analysis:
The document is the Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025, introduced in India’s Lok Sabha on March 11, 2025. It seeks to replace the existing patchwork of immigration laws with a single comprehensive statute. The Bill grants broad powers to the central government and immigration authorities over entry, stay, exit, and registration of foreigners, while also tightening carrier liabilities for transporting undocumented persons. A separate Appropriation Bill is also included, authorizing expenditures for Manipur.
Key Points:
- New Comprehensive Law: Repeals four older acts (Passport Act 1920, Registration of Foreigners Act 1939, Foreigners Act 1946, Immigration (Carriers’ Liability) Act 2000) and consolidates them into the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025.
- Entry and Exit Controls: Mandates valid passport or other travel documents plus visa for entry; allows denial or restriction on grounds of national security, public health, or other specified interests.
- Immigration Infrastructure: Establishes a Bureau of Immigration and designates immigration posts; defines roles of officers including Chief Immigration Officer and Commissioner.
- Foreigner Registration: Requires foreigners to register on arrival; imposes obligations on accommodation providers, educational institutions, and hospitals to report details.
- Restricted Areas: Controls access to protected/restricted areas and prohibited places via special permits.
- Name Change Restrictions: Bans changing names while in India without specific permission.
- Carrier Liabilities: Airlines, ships, etc., must provide passenger manifests and advance data; penalties up to ₹50,000 for non-compliance and ₹5 lakh for bringing in undocumented persons.
- Enforcement Powers: Includes arrest without warrant, seizure of documents, and removal of foreigners.
- Financial Impact: No additional expenditure expected; existing bureau infrastructure suffices.
- Parliamentary Oversight: Rules must be laid before Parliament; officers act in good faith are protected from suits.
Summary:
The Immigration and Foreigns Bill, 2025 centralizes and modernizes India’s immigration regime, emphasizing security, documentation, and control over foreign nationals’ entry, movement, and stay. It strengthens bureaucratic powers, imposes strict carrier obligations, and repeals outdated laws. The separate Appropriation Bill authorizes state expenditures in Manipur. The legislation signals a more controlled and technologically managed approach to migration management.
