New Delhi, March 27 — Union Home Minister Amit Shah introduced the Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025, in the Lok Sabha on Thursday, stating that it aims to safeguard national security by cracking down on illegal immigration while facilitating lawful entry into India.
“This is our country, not a dharamshala. People cannot come here on any pretext and stay forever. Those who enrich our nation are welcome, but those who undermine our security are not,” Shah said during the debate. The Bill was passed by voice vote, despite opposition demands to send it to a parliamentary committee, which Shah rejected, saying it had undergone three years of extensive consultations.
The legislation replaces four colonial-era laws: the Foreigners Act, 1946; the Passport Act, 1920; the Registration of Foreigners Act, 1939; and the Immigration Carriers’ Liability Act, 2000. Shah argued that immigration, a critical segment for national security, trade, and development, had been governed by outdated laws designed to serve British interests. “We are changing that now to advance indigenous interests,” he added.
The Bill mandates that anyone entering India must have a passport and visa or face up to five years in jail and a fine of up to ₹5 lakh. Forged documents can lead to imprisonment ranging from two to seven years and fines up to ₹10 lakh. Immigration officers will also have the authority to arrest individuals without warrants, though Shah assured that no official would act beyond the legal framework.
The law empowers authorities to deny entry to foreigners deemed a threat to national security, following due process. Educational, healthcare, and other institutions will be required to notify the government online about the presence of foreign nationals on their premises. Transport carriers carrying undocumented foreigners could face fines of ₹5 lakh, and if India denies entry to a foreigner, the carrier will be responsible for their removal.
Besides, the Bill formalizes the blacklisting of individuals deemed security threats and grants the government the power to designate official entry points into the country. “Our borders are sensitive and cannot be open to all as they have been in the past,” Shah said.
