LS clears immigration bill, Shah says India not hostel

New Delhi: Lok Sabha passed the Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025 on Thursday, with Union home minister Amit Shah saying the proposed legislation will strengthen the country’s security, boost economy and business, besides encouraging the health and education sectors.

Replying to a debate on the bill, before it was passed by a voice vote, Shah asserted that those who come to India for business, education and investment are welcome, but those who pose a threat to security will face stringent action.

“India is not a dharmashala (rest house) where anyone can come and stay illegally for any amount of time. If someone wants to come here to contribute to its growth, they are welcome but anyone coming illegally, we have the right to stop them,” Shah said.

He was referring to Section 3 of the proposed bill, which states that nobody can come to India without a valid travel document like passport.

“I welcome everyone who wants to visit India as a tourist, for education, for health care, for research and development, for business. We don’t want to stop anyone from coming. But those who come as a threat to the country, those who have wrong intentions, we will keep a close watch on them and take strict action,” Shah said.

Stressing the necessity to know the details of every foreigner visiting India, the home minister said the bill will ensure a close monitoring of everyone who visits India, including the purpose and duration of their visit.

“This is very important. The main issue is that the immigration is not an isolated subject but it is directly or indirectly linked to various issues. The bill will ensure a close monitoring of everyone who visits India, why do they visit India and how long they want to stay in India. It is absolutely necessary to know the details of every foreigner visiting India,” Shah said.

A total of 30 lawmakers participated in a three-hour-long debate on the bill, with some Opposition members demanding the legislation be referred to a joint parliamentary committee for further review.

The bill seeks to abolish four existing 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 — which currently govern various aspects related to foreigners in India and define the powers of immigration authorities.

During his reply, the home minister also targeted the Mamata Banerjee-led government in West Bengal and previous Congress regime in Assam for allegedly allowing illegal immigrants in their territories.

“Despite repeated requests, including 10 reminders sent by me, the West Bengal government has not provided land for fencing because they have a soft-corner for the intruders. Whether it is Rohingyas or Bangladeshis, who came from Assam when Congress was in power there or in West Bengal, it is these governments which give the intruders Aadhaar cards,” Shah alleged.

“But I want to assure that whether it is Rohingyas or Bangladeshis, if they come here to create unrest, strict action will be taken against them,” he added.

Earlier, initiating the debate, Congress lawmaker Manish Tewari said the bill allows the government to exempt certain foreigners from the law while granting unchecked authority to immigration officers. He also criticised a provision that makes an immigration officer’s decision final and binding in case of disputes.

“This essentially means that there is no appeal, no argument, and no lawyer. Whatever the immigration officer decides will be absolute,” the Chandigarh MP said.

In his reply, Shah said even countries like the US do not have any provision of appeal in their immigration policies. “There are courts of law for appeal,” he added.

TMC’s Sougata Ray demanded the bill be sent to the joint committee, saying the proposed changes in the law were stringent and required a detailed examination.

The bill, which was introduced in the Lok Sabha on March 11, puts the onus on educational and medical institutions, including hospitals and universities, as well as owners of private residences to inform the authorities about foreigners staying in their facility.

It also obligates the carriers such as airlines and vessels to remove a passenger denied entry by the immigration officer and provide passenger and crew data to the authorities in advance. The bill carries a provision of up to ₹5 lakh in fine for violating carriers.