Lok Sabha passes Bill to modernise Immigration laws & consolidate govt’s powers

The Lok Sabha has passed the Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025. The Bill is intended to modernise the immigration laws and it has provisions to confer upon the Central Government certain powers with regard to passports, travel documents, visa and registration. The legislation has been brought to avoid multiplicity and overlapping of laws. 

Replying to a debate on the Bill, Home Minister Amit Shah said the bill holds significance for strengthening national security, ensuring global standards of Indian universities and building foundations for research and development and manufacturing, among others. He said India is a geo-cultural, not a geo-political country. The Home Minister said that India has a long history of welcoming and protecting immigrants. He said that due to past invasions, many Persian refugees who migrated to India were safe. Mr Shah said that India has been a sanctuary for the world’s smallest minorities, offering them a place to live with dignity. 

He said that Jews from Israel sought refuge in India and found safety. Mr Shah said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the government has continued to provide refuge to communities from neighboring countries. He said that with the Citizenship Amendment Act, six persecuted communities are now living safely in India. The Home Minister said that people who come to India to contribute to the country’s economy and growth are always welcomed. He said that individuals coming to India not for shelter but with selfish motives have also increased. 

Mr Shah said, that whether it is the Rohingyas or Bangladeshis, if they are coming to disrupt peace, strict action will be taken. He said that immigration is not an isolated issue. The Home Minister said that, for the security of the country, the Government must know who is entering the country, for how long and for what reasons. He said these concepts are not new; such rights have been mentioned in various laws, and the government has now integrated them. 

Mr Shah said that with the Immigration and Foreigners Bill, the government will establish



a detailed and structured system to track every foreigner entering the country. He said, this will help in developing the nation and monitor those coming for business. The Home Minister said, it will also allow the government to keep a sharp eye on individuals who may pose a threat to security.

Earlier, initiating the discussion, Manish Tewari of Congress opposed the bill alleging that the bill is against the constitution. He said that immigration officers have been given power, which can lead to harassment of people. Mr Tewari stressed the need to bring in safeguard provisions in the bill. He demanded that the bill be sent to the Joint Parliamentary committee for more scrutiny.

Aparajita Sarangi of the BJP said that, as per the country’s culture, India respects all its guests. On the other hand, it is also important to protect the borders and national interests. She said there is a need to ensure that only those people come to the country whose arrival does not have any negative impact on security. Ms Sarangi said that from January 2024 to January this year, two thousand 600 Bangladeshi immigrants came from the India-Bangladesh border and have been nabbed by the security forces. She said the Bill is the need of the hour for the safety and security of the country.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Anil Desai said that the bill must ensure that it does not affect the country’s bilateral ties and foreign relations.

Abhijit Gangopadhyay of the BJP stated that the bill would replace legislations of the colonial era. He alleged that infiltration has tousled the demography of West Bengal.

JD(U)’s Lovely Anand said that infiltration from Myanmar was the main cause for unrest in Manipur. She said the bill would help address illegal migration.

Kanimozhi of DMK alleged that the Bill will endanger Indians’ interests abroad. She also alleged that the Bill will affect over 19 thousand Sri Lankan families living in Tamil Nadu in rehabilitation camps for over 30 years. Kanimozhi said the Bill does not understand the plight of refugees.