New Delhi, April 02: Parliament has passed the Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025, introducing stricter regulations on the entry, stay, and monitoring of foreigners in India.
The Rajya Sabha approved the bill by voice vote on Wednesday, days after it cleared the Lok Sabha on March 27. Amendments proposed by Opposition members were rejected.
A key provision in the bill criminalizes the use of forged passports or visas, setting penalties of up to seven years in prison and fines up to ₹10 lakh. It also mandates hotels, universities, hospitals, and nursing homes to report details of foreign nationals, ensuring closer tracking of overstaying visitors.
During the debate, Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai accused previous Congress and TMC governments of facilitating illegal immigration, alleging they aided entry and helped include migrants in voter lists and ration card schemes.
His remarks led to strong objections from Opposition MPs, prompting a walkout by Congress and TMC members.
Defending the bill, Rai said, “It was necessary to bring this legislation to strengthen our universities, education system, and economy at a world-class level.”
