Lok Sabha Passes Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025; Amit Shah Calls It Essential for National Security

New Delhi: The Lok Sabha on Thursday passed the Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025, with Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah asserting that the new law would enhance national security, streamline immigration processes, and curb illegal migration.

In his address, Shah underscored the need for a systematic immigration framework, stating, “It is essential for national security to know who enters the country, when, for how long, and for what purpose.” He emphasized that India is not a ‘Dharamshala’ where anyone can settle for any reason, adding that while contributors to India’s economy are welcome, those spreading unrest will face strict action.

Key Features of the Bill

• A comprehensive, integrated, and up-to-date record of all foreign nationals entering India.
• A tech-driven, transparent, and time-bound immigration system with 360-degree screening across 24 parameters.
• The Immigration, Visa, and Foreigners Registration and Tracking (IVFRT) system given legal backing to monitor illegal immigrants and overstayers.
• Faster immigration checks—processing time reduced from 4-5 minutes per person to 1-2 minutes.
• District Police Module (DPM) or Foreigners Identification Portal launched in over 700 districts to track foreigners.

India’s Stance on Refugees and Security

Shah reaffirmed that India has a ‘spotless’ track record on migrants, rejecting the need for a separate refugee policy. He stated that those fleeing persecution have always found shelter in India, citing the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) as an example.

On border security, Shah revealed that of the 2,216 km Bangladesh border, 653 km has been fenced, while West Bengal’s non-cooperation has stalled fencing on 453 km. He accused the Bengal government of being lenient on infiltrators, adding that once BJP comes to power in the state, infiltration will be stopped.

Boost to Economy and Global Standing

Shah linked the bill to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of making India the world’s third-largest economy by 2027 and a developed nation by 2047. He highlighted that the number of travelers to and from India has grown by 69% in a decade, necessitating a modernized immigration policy.

The Fast Track Immigration – Trusted Traveller Program (FTI-TTP) has been rolled out at eight major airports, reducing screening time to just 30 seconds for pre-approved travelers. Additionally, the government has introduced nine categories of e-visas, including the recently launched Ayush Visa.

Political Reactions

During the discussion, Shah took a dig at the DMK, accusing its MPs of never raising concerns about Tamil refugees. He also pointed out that the bill eliminates legal ambiguities by replacing four outdated laws from the British era.

The bill now moves to the Rajya Sabha for consideration. If passed, it will mark one of the biggest immigration reforms in independent India, balancing security with ease of movement.