A bill proposing far-reaching rules on empowering immigration officers was introduced in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday. The bill states provisions for appointment of Commissioner of Bureau of Immigration, conditions for issuing passport and other travel documents, for authorities to grant visa and submission of details by foreigners on arrival and exit from India.
This framework has been specified in Clause 30 of the Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025, as per the legislation introduced by Union Home Minister of State Nityanand Rai in Lok Sabha.
Rai, before formally introducing the bill, said the draft law seeks to correct overlapping and duplicate provisions in prevailing laws governing immigration and foreigners in the country.
Opposition parties opposed the introduction of the bill on the grounds that it violates multiple provisions of the Constitution.
Rejecting these charges, Rai asserted that the Central government was well within its rights under the Union list to bring in legislations on the immigration.
The junior Home Minister countered that tourists were welcome to come to India, but it was the government’s responsibility to ensure peace and sovereignty of the nation remain intact.
Congress MP and lawyer Manish Tewari said that the bill violates the principle of fundamental rights and expressed fear that the government may use the provisions of the proposed law to deny entry to those who are not in sync with the ideology of the ruling dispensation of the day.
“Under 72(2) of the rules of business of the Lok Sabha, I rise to oppose the Immigration and Foreigners Bill. Rule 72(1) of the rules of procedure and conduct of business of the Lok Sabha contemplates two situations. One is opposition to a bill simplicities and second on opposition to a bill on the grounds of legislative incompetence. This is a violation of fundamental rights on multiple counts… It violates multiple fundamental rights under the Constitution of India,” he said.
TMC MP Saugata Roy was equally apprehensive that the proposed law could prevent inflow of talent from outside in various fields. He said, “I beg to oppose the Immigration and Foreigners Bill. There are already 4 bills in the country for the entry and exit of foreigners…”
The legislation is aimed at streamlining various services related to immigration and foreigners, including their entry, exit and stay in India.
The entry, stay and exit of foreigners to and from India are currently governed by the Registration of Foreigners Act, 1939, and the Foreigners Act, 1946.
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