Govt tables bill on new immigration framework in LS

The government on Tuesday introduced a new bill on immigration and the entry of foreigners into India, seeking to create a new framework that will replace four existing laws.

- Neeraj Chauhan

The Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025 was introduced by Union minister of state for home, Nityanand Rai in the Lok Sabha and he clarified that the idea is not to "stop anyone (referring to tourists) from coming to India". "More and more people are welcome in India, but everyone must adhere to the immigration law," he added.

He dismissed claims by Opposition leaders that the new bill was violative of constitutional provisions. "It seeks to correct overlapping and duplicate provisions in prevailing laws governing immigration and foreigners in the country," he said.

Asserting that the provisions of the new law are crucial for the national security, Rai said: "Since India is growing economically, government is committed and is providing facilities to ensure more tourists come here, but it is also the government's responsibility to ensure the security of the country".