Immigration and Foreigners Bill 2025 modernizes outdated laws, imposing strict penalties, enhanced immigration officer powers, and mandatory registration. It denies entry for security risks, enforces carrier accountability, shifts burden-of-proof onto individuals, and requires advance passenger data. The bill restricts foreigner movement and ensures rigorous monitoring to safeguard India’s national security.
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The Immigration and Foreigners Bill 2025 aims to replace four colonial-era laws—the Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920; the Registration of Foreigners Act, 1939; the Foreigners Act, 1946; and the Immigration (Carriers’ Liability) Act, 2000—with a modern, comprehensive legal framework.
National Security Measures
The bill states that any foreign national posing a threat to India's national security, sovereignty, or territorial integrity will be denied entry or permission to stay in the country.
Registration and Reporting
Foreign nationals will be required to register upon arrival in India.
Educational institutions, hospitals, and other medical facilities admitting foreigners must report their presence to immigration authorities.
Foreigners will face restrictions on movement within India, particularly regarding access to protected and restricted areas without prior permission.
Penalties for Violations
The bill introduces strict penalties for immigration violations:
Carrier Liability
Transport carriers, including airlines and shipping companies, must ensure passengers have valid documentation or face fines of up to ₹5 lakh.
If a foreigner is denied entry, the carrier is responsible for their immediate removal from India. Non-compliance could lead to seizure of the transport vehicle.
Powers of Immigration Officers
Immigration officers will be granted enhanced authority, including the power to arrest individuals without a warrant if they suspect immigration law violations.
They can also restrict the movement and exit of foreigners from India when necessary for investigation or security purposes.
Burden of Proof
The bill shifts the burden of proof onto individuals to demonstrate their legal status, rather than requiring the state to prove someone is a foreign national.
Advance Passenger Data
Airlines and vessels will be required to share passenger and crew data with immigration authorities before arrival in India, allowing advance identification of potential security threats and real-time monitoring of travelers.
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PRACTICE QUESTION Q. "Border security in India is as much a socio-economic challenge as it is a military one." Critically analyze. 150 words |
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