Rita asserts that a new law and intensive voter revision have triggered a mass exodus of illegal immigrants from West Bengal’s borders, ending the “free-for-all” era, for Different Truths.
For the past few weeks, an unusual sense of urgency has gripped West Bengal. The very border points that once served as easy entry for infiltrators are now seeing them flee back.
A desperate rush, with illegal immigrants fleeing back to their own countries.
Why this sudden panic? Is SIR the only reason?
Half Answer: Yes.
Complete Answer: The game changer is the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025.
This new legislation has truly turned the tide.
An act designed to strike directly at the core issue, it was passed in March 2025 and took effect in September 2025.
This law sends a clear message: India is no longer a free-for-all Dharamshala (rest house).
Its provisions are simple and strict:
Entry into India without a valid passport or visa carries a penalty of five years’ imprisonment and a fine of five lakh rupees.
Possession of forged documents results in a fine of ten lakh rupees and immediate deportation.
The Difference: SIR vs. The New Act
The fear of SIR (Systematic Identification and Registration) is one thing—it only leads to exclusion from the voters’ list. However, if caught under the Immigration and Foreigners Act 2025, no political party will come to their aid.
This single fact has become the greatest cause of alarm among infiltrators today.
Since the law’s enforcement, the networks of touts, the gangs fabricating fake IDs, and those involved in illegal settlements have suddenly disappeared.
The message is clear: India will no longer compromise in the name of law.
Let’s discuss briefly
1. Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025
This is a major piece of legislation that consolidated and replaced four older, pre-independence-era laws (including the Foreigners Act, 1946).
Effective Date: The Act came into effect on September 1, 2025.
Core Objective: It streamlines India’s legal framework for managing foreign nationals, with a strong emphasis on national security and enhanced deterrents against illegal immigration.
Key Provisions & Penalties (The “Strict Laws”)
Illegal Entry: Any foreigner entering India without a valid passport or required travel document/visa is punishable with imprisonment that may extend up to 5 years and/or a fine up to ₹5 lakh.
Forged Documents: Knowingly using or supplying forged or fraudulently obtained travel documents is punishable with imprisonment for a term of 2 to 7 years and a fine of ₹10 lakh.
Mandatory Reporting: New provisions require hotels, universities, hospitals, and airlines/vessel operators to report detailed information about foreign nationals, significantly enhancing the government’s ability to track and monitor foreigners, including those who overstay.
Impact: This Act is significantly stricter than previous laws, imposing heavy fines and mandatory jail time for those involved in illegal entry or document fraud, which is the primary fear factor mentioned in your post.
2. Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Electoral Rolls
This is an ongoing administrative drive by the Election Commission of India (ECI), which appears to be the immediate trigger for the reverse migration.
Nature of the Drive: SIR is a process to intensify the verification and purification of electoral rolls. Its goal is to remove ineligible names, such as those of deceased individuals, those who have moved, or those who are duplicated, from the voter list.
Impact on Illegal Immigrants: Illegal immigrants who managed to procure Indian documents like Aadhaar and voter cards over the years are now facing scrutiny. The intensified verification process is exposing their fraudulent inclusion in the voter lists.
The Exodus: Recent ground reports from November 2025 confirm a sudden surge (200-300 people daily) of undocumented Bangladeshi nationals returning to Bangladesh at checkposts like Hakimpur, carrying both Indian and Bangladeshi documents. They are leaving out of fear of being identified during the SIR drive.
The Combined Effect (SIR vs. New Act)
Factor Nature of Threat Ultimate Consequence
SIR Administrative/Political Loss of voter ID and Aadhaar card, i.e., loss of political identity.
Immigration & Foreigners Act, 2025: Criminal/legal imprisonment up to seven years and massive fines up to ₹10 lakh, followed by deportation, i.e., a criminal record and jail time.
The SIR drive acts as the spotlight, and the new Act provides serious legal punishment, making the risk far greater than just losing voting rights.
Picture design by Anumita Roy
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