Overview

• A Supreme Court constitutional bench ruled that the Immigrants (Expulsion from Assam) Act, 1950 remains valid and can be used alongside Section 6A of the Citizenship Act to expel illegal migrants without Foreigners Tribunal hearings.
• Since May, Assam has pushed back 330 individuals identified as illegal immigrants under the 1950 law and has earmarked another 35 for deportation when flood conditions improve.
• Opposition parties and minority rights groups warn the expedited process lacks judicial oversight and could lead to harassment and communal profiling of Indian citizens, especially Muslims.
• Chief Minister Sarma has questioned the completeness of the current National Register of Citizens and sought sample re-verification of 20% of entries in border districts and 10% elsewhere to address alleged fraud.
• A central agency is securing NRC data through an Information Security Management System, with officials expecting completion in eight to twelve months before issuing formal acceptance or rejection slips.