India’s new immigration law gives the Bureau of Immigration more power to track and deport illegal migrants.
India has introduced strict immigration rules under the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, empowering the Bureau of Immigration to identify and deport illegal immigrants. The law, notified by the Home Ministry on September 1, makes it mandatory for hotels, hospitals, and educational institutions to report foreigners to authorities.
“Under a well-thought-out conspiracy, the country’s demography is being changed,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi warned in his Independence Day speech, announcing a high-powered mission to address illegal immigration.
The Act prescribes up to seven years in jail and a ₹10 lakh fine for using forged passports or visas. It also gives the Bureau statutory backing, enabling it to coordinate with states and record biometric data of foreigners.
According to the Citizenship Act, 1955, anyone entering India without valid documents or overstaying their visa is deemed an illegal migrant. The law comes as states intensify crackdowns on Bangladeshis and Rohingya migrants.