Lok Sabha passes Immigration & Foreigners Bill, 2025; Amit Shah says ‘India not a Dharamshala’

The Lok Sabha on Thursday passed the Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah saying that the bill will ensure the country gets up-to-date information about every foreigner visiting India and will strengthen internal security.

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.

Replying to the debate on the bill in the Lok Sabha, 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.

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

On March 11, the bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha by the Union Home Minister of State Nityanand Rai. However, Congress MP Manish Tewari from Chandigarh and TMC MP Sougata Roy opposed it, claiming that it violates "multiple fundamental rights" under the Constitution of India.

What Amit Shah said:

— Whether Bangladeshi infiltrators or Rohingyas — earlier they used to enter India through Assam when the Congress was in power. Now they enter India through West Bengal, where the TMC is in power. The home minister also questioned who issued them Aadhaar cards and citizenship.

— The bill will ensure the country gets up-to-date information about every foreigner visiting India.

— This is very important. The main issue is that immigration is not an isolated subject but it is directly or indirectly linked to various issues.

— The bill will ensure a close monitoring of everyone who visits India, why they visit India and how long they want to stay in India.

— It is absolutely necessary to know the details of every foreigner visiting India.

About the bill

— If the new immigration bill is approved by Parliament, 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.