Overview

• An MHA Exemption Order shields Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan who entered by December 31, 2024 from penal action for lacking valid passports or visas, without granting automatic citizenship.
• States and Union Territories have been directed to set up dedicated holding centres or detention camps for illegal foreigners, with Foreigners Tribunals empowered to opine on nationality and detain those who cannot prove status or obtain bail.
• The Bureau of Immigration now has statutory authority to identify, detain and deport illegal migrants, administer immigration IT systems, and collect biometrics, with border forces instructed to capture data from illegal entrants.
• Hotels, hospitals and educational institutions must report foreign nationals, carriers must submit advance passenger and crew manifests, overstays draw graded fines, and using or supplying forged travel documents can bring up to seven years in jail and Rs 10 lakh in fines.
• Rules restrict entry or stay for those convicted of serious crimes, require permits for protected or restricted areas with nationals of Afghanistan, China and Pakistan barred from sensitive regions, limit foreign employment in key utilities without approval, and outline exemptions for Nepalese, Bhutanese, certain Tibetans and registered Sri Lankan Tamils.