On 12 March 2025, the government proposed a new bill named the Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025 in the Lok Sabha. The primary purpose of this Bill is to enhance the regulations regarding how individuals from other nations enter, reside, and depart India. The Bill considers consolidating various previous laws and simplifying the process of immigration and making it more efficient. While the government believes this Bill will help in making the immigration system better, there are some people who are worried about how it might affect the rights of individuals and the way decisions are made.

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What is the Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025?

The Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025 is a bill that was presented to parliament by the government of India to enhance how the nation deals with foreigners, their entry, residence, and departure. Currently, India does not have recent laws from when it transitioned to republic status, and those in place are somewhat unclear or ineffectual. The Bill aims to update and simplify these laws. It includes rules about passports, visas, and registration of foreigners, and it also talks about how medical institutions must report if a foreigner comes for treatment. The Bill also tries to give the government more control to ensure that the country’s security is not at risk.

Purpose of the Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025

India has had different laws to handle foreigners for many years. Some of these laws are very old and were created even before India became an independent country. These old laws are not suited for today’s world, and they make it hard for the government to manage immigration properly. The new Bill is needed to:

• The Bill wants to bring together many different laws into one, so the process becomes easier for both the government and people coming to India.
• The government needs to know who is entering and leaving the country to make sure that people who might harm the country are not allowed to stay.
• The government wants to ensure that everyone follows the rules, while still respecting people’s rights.

Read the article on Human Migration!

Key Provisions of the Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025

The Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025 has many important rules. Here are some of the key points:

• Right now, there are many different laws for foreigners. The Bill will combine them into one law to make things easier and clearer.
• The Bill sets out rules for who needs a passport or visa and how they can be checked when they enter or leave India.
• The Bill says that hospitals must report if a foreigner comes for treatment. This helps the government keep track of foreigners in the country.
• The Bill gives more power to the central government, allowing it to make rules for how foreigners are treated.
• The Bill wants to ensure that people who might harm India’s security are not allowed to stay in the country.
• Foreigners who come to India will have to register with the government, and this process will become easier under the new law.

Read the article on the Section 6A of Citizenship Act 1955!

Significance of the Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025

The Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025 is important for many reasons:

• The Bill will help the government keep track of who is coming and going, which is important for national security.
• By combining many old laws, the Bill will make the immigration process smoother, which will be helpful for tourists, business people, and anyone visiting India.
• The Bill aims to stop people from coming to India illegally and staying without permission.
• Having a clear immigration law will help improve India’s global image, as other countries will know that India has a modern and effective system for managing immigration.
• The Bill will also help ensure that foreigners who stay in India are following the rules and not violating the law.

Read the article on the UK Illegal Migration Bill!

Concerns Raised about the Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025

While the government believes the Bill will improve things, many people have raised concerns. Some of these concerns are:

• Some leaders in the Opposition say that the Bill could violate the rights of people. They believe the government could use the law to stop people from coming to India based on their political beliefs, not just for security reasons.
• The Bill does not say how people can challenge a decision made by an immigration officer. This could be a problem if someone is denied entry to the country for no good reason.
• Some experts worry that the Bill could make it harder for talented foreign students, doctors, and researchers to come to India. They are concerned that extra rules might make it harder for them to get visas or stay in the country.
• The Bill does not clearly address what happens to people seeking refuge in India, like refugees from war or natural disasters. This could cause problems for those in need of help.

Read the article on the Refugees in India!

Security Concerns of Illegal Immigration in India

Illegal immigration has been a big concern for India, especially in states near the border like Assam and West Bengal. Many people come into the country without proper permission, and this can create problems such as overcrowding, security risks, and social tension. The government needs a good immigration law to control illegal immigration and ensure the safety of its citizens.

The Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025 is trying to address this issue by giving the government more power to stop illegal immigration and track foreign nationals in the country. However, it is important that the government also protects the rights of vulnerable people, like refugees, and does not abuse its powers.

What Should the Government Do to Strengthen Border Control and Immigration Laws?

To make sure the Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025 works well, the government should take the following steps:

• The government should improve the technology and monitoring at the borders to stop illegal immigration.
• The government should make clear rules to protect refugees and asylum seekers.
• There should be a clear process for people to challenge decisions if they feel they have been treated unfairly.
• The government should use technology to make it easier for foreigners to register and follow the rules.

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UPSC Practice Question

How can India strengthen its immigration laws while ensuring the protection of fundamental rights and humanitarian responsibilities?