Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025, approved by Parliament as Rajya Sabha gives its nod | Today News

Parliament on Wednesday approved Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025, with Rajya Sabha giving its nod on Wednesday. Last week, the Lok Sabha passed the bill.

The Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025, piloted by the Union Home Ministry, is a comprehensive legislation to regulate all matters relating to foreigners and immigration.

Opposing the Bill, Congress MP Abhishek Manu Singhvi said that the bill sends a message that all foreigners are “potential criminals” who are to be viewed with serious suspicion by India.

He demanded that it be sent to a standing committee as it delegates excessive power to lowly officials and lacks provisions for appeal, oversight and accountability, among other things.

Earlier, speaking in Lok Sabha on March 27, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that the bill will ensure the country gets up-to-date information about every foreigner visiting India and will strengthen internal security.

Amit Shah asserted that those who come to India for business, education and investment are welcome, but those who pose a threat to security will face stringent action, adding that India is not a ‘Dharamshala’.

“Be it Rohingyas or Bangladeshis, if they come to India to create unrest, strict action will be taken against them,” said the home minister.

— According to proposed legislation, anyone found using a forged passport or visa for entering, staying or exiting India will be punished.

— The bill has a provision for up to seven years in jail and a fine to the extent of ₹10 lakh.

— It will be mandatory for hotels, universities, other educational institutions, hospitals and nursing homes to report information about foreigners to enable tracking of overstaying foreigners.

— The legislation empowers the Centre to exert control over places that are “frequented by any foreigner” and require the owner to close the premises, permit its use under specified conditions, or refuse admission to all or a “specified class” of foreigners.

According to Union Home Ministry data, 98.40 lakh foreigners visited India between April 1, 2023, and March 31, 2024.