New Delhi, 6 February 2025: The government is considering new legislation to streamline and regulate migration for overseas employment, replacing the Emigration Act of 1983. The proposed Overseas Mobility (Facilitation and Welfare) Bill, 2024 aims to establish a structured framework ensuring safe, orderly, and regular migration.
The move comes amid recent deportations from the United States, where 104 Indian nationals were sent back as part of a crackdown on illegal immigration.
A report by the Parliamentary Committee on External Affairs, chaired by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, was presented in Parliament. It reiterated the need for a modern migration law reflecting global mobility trends and urged the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to expedite the bill’s enactment.
“The Committee has underscored the need for a comprehensive legislative overhaul to replace the outdated provisions of the Emigration Act of 1983,” the report states.
It added that the Ministry is in the consultation phase with relevant departments and will invite public feedback before finalizing the draft.
The report further called for expanding Protector of Emigrants (PoE) offices to better assist Indian emigrants.
The Ministry informed the panel that while 14 PoE offices currently operate across major cities, additional offices have been set up in Patna, Bengaluru, and Guwahati.
More offices are planned for Tripura, Bhubaneswar, and Ahmedabad, according to media reports.
The Committee also urged the MEA to work with civil society groups and media outlets to raise awareness about legal migration channels and risks associated with illegal emigration.
It recommended that all departing travelers be provided with basic information at immigration counters.
An update on the bill’s progress has been requested within three months, with the Committee insisting on its enactment within a year.
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