On Thursday, the Lok Sabha passed the immigration and foreign bill 2025 after Home Minister Amit Shah kept for voting. During the debate on the bill, Shah addressed the Lok Sabha and said that the purpose of the Center is only to prevent those who have ‘malicious’ intentions to come to India and said that the country is not a “Dharamshala”.
The bill was originally introduced by Minister of State for Home (MOS) Nityananda Rai, who clarified, “We are not bringing this law to prevent anyone from coming to India.” The Bill cancels and replaces the Bill, 2000 and three freedom laws, passports (admissions in India) Act, 1920, Foreign Registration Act, 1939 and foreigners Act, 1936.
What did Amit Shah say?
Addressing the Lok Sabha during the debate on the bill, Union Home Minister Amit Shah allegedly said, “All those coming to India as a tourist or for education, healthcare and business are welcome, but those who pose a threat to the country will be strictly dealt with.”
Shah said, “I welcome all those who want to come to India for education, healthcare, research and development, business as a tourist. But those who come as a threat to the country, we will keep a close watch on them and take strict action against them.”
What offers immigration and foreign bill 2025?
The new bill puts the responsibility of educational and medical institutions, including hospitals and universities, as well as owners of private houses to inform the authorities about foreigners living in their premises.
Under the new law, carriers such as airlines and ships will have to remove the passenger deprived of admission by the immigration officer and the officers will have to provide the data of the passenger and the crew in advance. There is a provision for a fine of up to Rs 5 lakh on violating carriers.
Its objective is also to change four existing laws- Passport (Admission to India) Act, 1920, Registration of Foreigners Act, 1939, Foreign Act, 1946 and immigration (liability of carriers) Act, 2000. These laws currently regulate various aspects of matters related to foreigners in India and define the powers of immigration officers.
It also plans to eliminate excesses and overlap in laws dealing with equal subjects and to simplify the legal structure with the Government of India policy. Once enacted, this law will empower the Central Government to compulsory passports or other travel documents for individuals entering India or exit and regulate matters related to foreigners, including visa and registration requirements.
