New Delhi: The Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025, was passed by Lok Sabha, the Lower House of Parliament, on Thursday evening.
Taking part in a debate on the Bill, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said India was not a ‘dharamshala’ (shelter home).
Shah said the government is ready to welcome those who want to come to India as tourist or for education, healthcare and business purposes, but stressed that those who pose a threat would be dealt with seriously.
“Those who pose a threat to national security will not be allowed to enter the nation. The nation is not a ‘dharamshala’. If someone comes to India to contribute to the development of the nation, they are always welcome,” Shah said in his speech.
#WATCH | Delhi | Replying in the Lok Sabha on the Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025, Union Home Minister Amit Shah says, “…Those who pose a threat to the national security will not be allowed to enter the nation. The nation is not a ‘Dharamshala’…If someone comes to the… pic.twitter.com/TBJDwURmN4
— ANI (@ANI) March 27, 2025
The Immigration bill will help the government get up-to-date information about every foreigner visiting India.
The Home Minister expressed that the proposed legislation will strengthen the country’s security and help India become the world’s most developed nation by 2047.
“I want to assure the country that we will have up-to-date information about every foreigner coming to our country,” Shah told the House.
Illegal infiltration & role of Trinamool Congress
On the issue of illegal infiltration into India by Rohingyas from Myanmar and Bangladeshis, Shah claimed that number of people taking refuge in India for personal gains had increased, making the country unsafe, and warned of strict action against infiltrators if they create unrest in India.
Shah accused the West Bengal government of not taking proper action against illegal infiltration, stating that 450 km of fencing work on the India-Bangladesh border has not been completed as the Trinamool Congress-helmed administration did not give land for it.
“Whenever the process of fencing is done, the ruling party workers indulge in hooliganism and religious sloganeering. The fencing work of 450 km of border has not been completed because the West Bengal government is showing mercy to the infiltrators,” Shah said.
“Out of around 2,200 km of land border area, only 450 km of area is left for fencing. But, the West Bengal government is not providing the land for the fencing work,” Shah specified, adding that the Central government has written 11 letters to the Bengal government and held seven rounds of talks with state officials on the issue.
“Illegal immigration is happening from that area only. The state government is ensuring Aadhaar cards for the infiltrators and they are spreading to different parts of the country,” Shah alleged, and said that maximum number of illegal Aadhaar cards were found in South 24 Parganas.
Important points of Immigration Bill
As per the proposed Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025, anyone found to be using a forged passport or visa to enter India or staying in or exiting from the country will be punishable with a jail term of upto seven years and a fine of Rs 10 lakh, reported India Today.
Information about foreigners will have to be mandatorily provided by hotels, universities, other educational institutions, hospitals and nursing homes to track foreigners who overstay.
As of now, matters relating to foreigners and immigration are guided by — Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920; Registration of Foreigners Act, 1939; Foreigners Act, 1946; Immigration (Carriers’ Liability) Act, 2000.
These four laws will be repealed once the new law comes into effect.
