Transform the Bureau of Immigration

India must transform Bureau of Immigration into a law enforcement agency to streamline actions against illegal immigrants

- PATHIKRIT PAYNE

The month of May 2025 was marked by several important events. While Operation Sindoor clearly demonstrated the prowess of India's strategic military capability, and firmly established India's new-age counter-terror doctrine, Operation Black Forest, undertaken by CRPF and elite units of Chhattisgarh Police, broke the backbone of the Maoist movement by striking into the heart of Maoist bastions in the dense forests of Chhattisgarh, and neutralizing some of the top commanders of CPI (Maoist). Meanwhile, it was also announced that India has crossed the $4 trillion GDP mark, and is officially now the 4th largest economy of the world.

DEPORTATION DRIVE Amidst all these, an issue that did not get much limelight is that of the intense drive being undertaken across India against Bangladeshis and Rohingyas, staying illegally in India. Illegal infiltration has become a major menace for India, not just because many such elements have been involved in criminal activities and espionage against India, but also because the magnitude of such illegal migration has been so profound that in many of the border districts of India, especially along the India-Bangladesh and India-Nepal region, an alarming shift in demography, as well as the exodus of Hindus could clearly be noticed.

Incidentally, the passage of the Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025, by the Modi government, which has more stringent provisions, punitive actions, and penalties against not just the infiltrators but also their facilitators, has been a major shot in the arm for law enforcement agencies to prepare stronger legal cases against those staying illegally in India.