Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025 Introduced in Lok Sabha Amid Opposition Concerns Over Privacy and Rights
(Source – Indian Express, Section – In Parliament, Page – 08)
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Topic: GS2 – Polity |
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Context |
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Analysis of the news:
Objective and Scope
- The bill seeks to provide the Central Government with powers to regulate:
- Requirement of passports or other travel documents for entry and exit.
- Visa and registration requirements for foreigners.
- Oversight of foreigners’ activities through institutions like hospitals and universities.
- It aims to replace outdated pre-Constitution laws, including:
- Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920
- Registration of Foreigners Act, 1939
- Foreigners Act, 1946
- Immigration (Carriers’ Liability) Act, 2000
Government’s Justification
- Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai argued that:
- The bill ensures national security and sovereignty.
- Reporting of foreign nationals by hospitals and medical institutions is already mandated under an existing order; the bill brings it under formal legislation.
- It will eliminate overlaps and contradictions in the existing legal framework.
Opposition’s Concerns
- Violation of Fundamental Rights – the bill violates multiple constitutional rights and lacks an appeal mechanism against immigration officer decisions.
- Impact on Talent Inflow – the bill might restrict the inflow of global talent in fields like academics and medical science.
- Superfluous Nature – Existing laws have so far regulated immigration effectively, making the bill redundant.
- Lack of Safeguards – Concerns about potential misuse of discretionary powers and the absence of a grievance redressal mechanism.
Potential Impact
- Positive Impact – Greater clarity and efficiency in handling immigration and foreigner registration issues.
- Negative Impact – Possible misuse of discretionary powers, affecting the rights of foreign nationals and Indian citizens interacting with them.
Conclusion
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The bill seeks to modernize and consolidate existing immigration laws but raises critical concerns over privacy, human rights, and administrative overreach.
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Addressing these issues through parliamentary scrutiny and incorporating safeguards will be key to ensuring a balanced and effective law.
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Practice Question: The Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025, aims to streamline immigration and foreigner-related regulations in India. Discuss the key provisions of the bill, the concerns raised by the opposition, and its potential impact on constitutional rights and national security. (250 Words /15 marks) |
