Immigration and Foreigners Bill introduced in Lok Sabha, Opposition seeks select panel scrutiny

The Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025 was introduced in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, despite the Opposition raising objections to its intent and seeking its review by sending it to a Parliamentary select committee.

Congress MP Manish Tewari objected to the introduction of the Bill adhering to constitutional provisions. He pointed out that the Bill fails to provide an appeal mechanism against decisions taken by immigration officers.

The Chandigarh MP held these to be violating the “fundamental cannon of justice and jurisprudence”.

Further, he placed his concerns about the government barring movement of people with views in variance of the dispensation. The Congress leader emphasised the Bill must adhere to constitutional provisions.

Tewari suggested that the Bill be sent to a Parliamentary select committee for scrutiny.

TMC MP Sougata Roy also opposed the Bill, claiming its provisions infringed upon fundamental rights.

In response, Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityananda Rai, who had introduced the Bill in the Lok Sabha, held that disallowing entry of foreign nationals globally is the prerogative of the concerned country’s immigration officer.

“We are committed to drawing tourism from abroad. However, we also aspire to preserve peace and sovereignty of the country alongside national interest,” he said.

He further informed the Lower House that the proposed legislation seeks to replace several pre-Independence era and pre-Constitution period Bills.

The Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025 introduces new provisions, including the ability to refuse entry or stay to foreign national in the country on grounds of national security, sovereignty, or relations with a foreign state.

The proposed law makes the decision of the immigration officer final and binding. Earlier, too, foreigners were denied entry, but the clause was not explicitly mentioned in any legislation, or rules.

The Bill also includes provisions requiring medical institutions to report the details of foreigners receiving treatment and their attendants to the Registration Officer.