The Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025's clauses and parliamentary criticisms

The Union government introduced the Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025, to the Lok Sabha on Tuesday in an attempt to strengthen India's borders and streamline the country's immigration and foreigner’s legislation.

The Immigration (Carriers’ Liability) Act of 2000 supersedes three pre-independence laws: the Foreigners Act of 1936, the Passport (Entry into India) Act of 1920, and the Registration of Foreigners Act of 1939.

The Statement of Objects and Reasons that accompanied the Bill stated that the Acts "are not only of pre-Constitution period, but also, they were brought into unusual times of first and second world wars." It also discusses the prevalence of overlapping regulations and the necessity of comprehensive legislation. What changes are brought about by the Bill?

With assistance from Chief Immigration Officers, Foreigners Registration Officers, Foreigners Regional Registration Officers, and other immigration officers selected by the Centre, the Bill would establish a Commissioner as the head of the overall Bureau of Immigration (Section 5). In addition to performing "immigration functions," which include regulating the entry and exit of foreign nationals, the Bureau will report to the Centre and be in charge of any additional tasks that the Centre designates.

The restrictions placed on “carriers”

"Involved in the business of conveying passengers or freight by air, water, or land by aircraft or ship or any other form of transport" is the term used to describe a person or company.

Criticism The Foreigners and Immigration Bill has encountered

In Parliament, Congressman Manish Tewari stated that the Bill violates fundamental rights on several levels and that the government may exploit its provisions to bar anyone who don't share the views of the current ruling party.

An appeal procedure against the immigration officer's decision that violates fundamental rights and the fundamental principles of natural justice in jurisprudence is not provided by a proviso in the Bill.

The new rule "would restrict influx of talent and know-how in the country in domains of academia and medical science," according to Saugata Roy of TMC.