Key Takeaways
• Home Ministry now requires states to verify suspected Bangladeshi and Myanmar immigrants within 30 days, speeding previous slow processes.
• Special task forces must operate in each district and report monthly on identification, holding, and deportation of illegal immigrants.
• Bangladesh has formally protested India’s unilateral deportations, while human rights groups warn against rushed processes risking refugee safety.
The Home Ministry of India has taken a firm step towards managing illegal immigration by setting a new 30-day deadline for states and Union Territories (UTs) to verify the credentials of people suspected to be illegal immigrants from Bangladesh 🇧🇩 and Myanmar 🇲🇲. This decision, announced in early May 2025, marks a clear shift from the earlier, slower process that often stretched for months with no set timetable. The main goal is to speed up the process and make sure authorities can act much faster when someone might be staying in India without proper documents.
Why the New Guidelines Were Introduced
The policy change was made to solve the ongoing problem of long delays in the verification and deportation of suspected illegal immigrants. Before, there was no fixed time by which officials had to check whether someone was in the country lawfully. As a result, cases could stay unresolved for months, and sometimes even years.
Now, by giving a 30-day deadline, the Home Ministry of India hopes to cut down the waiting time. This means that after someone is identified as a possible illegal immigrant from Bangladesh or Myanmar, the state or UT government has just thirty days to check if that person’s claim to be an Indian citizen is real. If the officials can’t confirm that the person is an Indian citizen within those 30 days, the individual faces deportation back to their home country.
Key Parts of the New Policy
- 30-Day Verification: Every suspected illegal immigrant from Bangladesh and Myanmar must have their case checked and either cleared or marked for removal within 30 days.
- Holding Centers: While the check is happening, these people will stay in dedicated holding centers rather than regular jails or being left free in the community.
- Special Task Forces: Each district must create its own team, under police control, to hunt for, identify, and process illegal immigrants as per the guidelines.
- Records and Reports: Every month, state and UT governments must send a report to the central authorities listing actions taken and people processed.
- Public List of Deportees: The Bureau of Immigration will share a list of people who have been deported so that other agencies, like the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) and the Election Commission, can block them from getting government IDs, voter cards, or passports in the future.
- Data Coordination: This information is shared with different government groups so that once someone is removed as an illegal immigrant, they cannot return with a new identity.
How the Policy Is Being Carried Out
Since the directive, several states have started to put these steps into practice. Here is a closer look at what is happening on the ground:
- Rajasthan: Police in this state recently collected 148 people suspected to be illegal Bangladeshi immigrants. They were sent to West Bengal on a special flight, which is expected to help their return to Bangladesh as soon as possible.
- Gujarat: The government here has started focused identification efforts, putting over 6,000 suspected Bangladeshi immigrants under review as part of the new rules.
- Assam: Reports mention “push backs”—meaning suspected illegal immigrants, often Rohingya or Bangladeshi, are sent back across the border after being in holding facilities like Matia camp.
All these efforts show the new level of urgency and structure the Home Ministry of India wants to see. By moving quickly, they hope to stop people from using the lack of strict rules to stay in the country without documents for long periods.
What Does This Mean for the People Involved?
There are several groups affected by these changes, and each faces different challenges.
1. Suspected Illegal Immigrants
For those identified as possible illegal immigrants—especially people from Bangladesh 🇧🇩 and Myanmar 🇲🇲—the new rules bring a quick and stressful process. People picked up by the special police teams will stay in holding centers while their backgrounds are checked.
If they cannot prove they are Indian citizens, or if their case cannot be confirmed, they can be removed within one month. During the check, most will be separated from their families and not allowed to move freely. Many of these people worry they might not have enough papers to prove their identity, either because they never had such documents or because they lost them while moving.
2. States and UTs
The task is now much tougher for state and union territory officials. They must build special teams, find suitable places to house people waiting for checks or removal, and update the center regularly. Monthly reports must be sent by the 15th of each month, detailing the number of people identified, actions taken, and problems faced.
The need for separate holding centers in every district adds extra work and sometimes local resistance. States also have to work closely with border forces and the Coast Guard to make sure people sent back do not return illegally.
3. The Central Government
The Home Ministry of India will get standardized, up-to-date reports on suspected illegal immigrants and their status, giving the center more control and better oversight. By sharing verified deportee details with agencies like the Election Commission and UIDAI, the government plans to stop deported individuals from getting Indian documents again.
The Political Situation
The change comes at a time when politics is heating up, especially in border states like West Bengal and Assam. Assembly elections are coming soon, and political parties are taking strong positions on the topic of illegal immigrants.
- Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP): The party leading the national government says it is protecting the country’s borders and upholding the law. They argue the stricter actions are needed to stop security threats and unfair use of government services.
- Opposition (Trinamool Congress in West Bengal): These groups have been more critical, claiming the policy is too harsh, can separate families, and may affect genuine refugees or long-settled people.
There are real worries that the policy could be used differently in different places, depending on the ruling party or local opinions. Some experts also point out it is hard to make sure only real illegal entrants are deported—mistakes can happen.
The Response from Neighboring Countries
One of the biggest international concerns has come from Bangladesh 🇧🇩. The Bangladeshi government has officially protested India’s actions, saying that not everyone sent back is necessarily a Bangladeshi citizen. They claim some of the people pushed across the border might not have valid proof that they belong in Bangladesh. Also, Bangladesh has said that India’s actions seem “unilateral”—meaning India is making decisions on its own rather than working with Bangladesh.
This issue has put some strain on relations between the two countries. Both sides have agreed in the past on how to handle border management and cross-border migration, but now Bangladesh wants more consultation and warning before people are sent back.
Myanmar 🇲🇲 faces a different situation. Since 2021, Myanmar has been in upheaval because of political conflict and human rights issues. Many people, especially Rohingya, fled into India for safety. The International Commission of Jurists and other groups criticise India for violating international rules that say people should not be forced back to countries where they might face danger or harm (a rule called “non-refoulement”).
Human Rights Questions
As reported by VisaVerge.com, several human rights organizations have spoken out about the new deportation policy. Their concerns include:
- Risk that genuine refugees are sent back to places where their safety is not guaranteed.
- The possibility that children and families could be separated during the quick verification process.
- Lack of time for people to argue their case or provide missing documents.
- Harsh conditions in holding centers.
The International Commission of Jurists has said that India’s policy on sending back Myanmar refugees goes against its international duty to protect people from being returned to unsafe conditions. In the past, India has been praised for being a home for refugees, so this shift toward faster removals is seen as a major change in approach.
Longer Term Changes in Indian Immigration Law
The new 30-day deadline is just one part of a bigger change. The government recently passed the Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025. This new law aims to:
- Update older laws that were not clear enough for today’s migration challenges
- Give clearer and more organized rules for who can enter and stay in India
- Tackle the growing problem of illegal immigration, but also help legitimate travelers and visitors
By setting up special teams, better information sharing, and stricter border controls, the Home Ministry of India hopes to close old loopholes that allowed some people to stay illegally.
The new Bill also aims to streamline legal migration, making it easier for students, workers, and tourists to follow the right steps, while quickly removing those who enter unlawfully.
What Happens Next?
Looking ahead, more states are expected to set up special task forces and holding centers. Officials will be under pressure to meet the short time frames. The main challenge will be making sure the policy is fair and each case gets proper attention.
People who think they may be affected by these changes, or anyone with questions about the Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025 or the deportation process, can find detailed guidelines on the official Ministry of Home Affairs website.
At the same time, debates will continue around human rights, India’s duties to its neighbors, and the best way to keep borders secure without hurting innocent people.
Conclusion
The Home Ministry of India’s new policy, which sets a 30-day deadline to check and deport illegal immigrants from Bangladesh 🇧🇩 and Myanmar 🇲🇲, is a major shift in how the country handles people without proper documents. While supporters say it will keep India safe and prevent misuse of government benefits, critics urge caution so innocent people and genuine refugees do not suffer.
With new laws and a more active approach, India is building new systems and rules for who can live and work in the country. For families, officials, and communities, these changes will mean new steps to follow and new challenges to solve.
The coming months will show how well the Home Ministry of India’s plan works in real life—whether it makes the process fairer and faster, or if it brings up new problems that need to be fixed. As always, it will be important for the government, the courts, and the public to keep watching how the system treats everyone involved.
Learn Today
Deportation → The formal process by which a person is removed from a country and sent back to their country of origin.
Holding Centers → Designated facilities where suspected illegal immigrants are detained while their identity and status are verified.
Non-refoulement → International legal principle prohibiting countries from returning individuals to places where they may face danger or persecution.
Union Territories (UTs) → Regions in India governed directly by the central government, distinct from states which have their own governments.
Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) → The Indian government agency responsible for issuing Aadhaar identification numbers and managing citizens’ biometric data.
This Article in a Nutshell
India’s Home Ministry has imposed a strict 30-day deadline for states to verify suspected illegal immigrants from Bangladesh and Myanmar. Special task forces and holding centers will manage these cases. Supporters view it as needed border control; critics warn of risks to refugees, families, and international relationships, sparking nationwide debate.
— By VisaVerge.com
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