Over 85,000 Declared Foreigners Missing in Assam

More than 85,000 individuals declared as foreigners by the Foreigners’ Tribunals in Assam have gone missing, raising serious concerns over immigration enforcement and the state’s ability to track and deport undocumented individuals. According to data released by the Assam Home Department, these individuals, identified as illegal immigrants, have evaded authorities, exposing critical gaps in deportation and monitoring mechanisms.

This revelation, disclosed in response to a query by Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) Rekibuddin Ahmed during the Assam Assembly session, has sparked a debate on the effectiveness of the state’s immigration policies and law enforcement strategies.

Lack of an Effective Tracking System

Authorities in Assam have long struggled with monitoring and deporting individuals once they are declared as illegal immigrants. The absence of a systematic tracking mechanism has allowed many to vanish without a trace, making enforcement efforts challenging.

Key Concerns:

Lack of a Proper Monitoring System: There is no robust mechanism to keep track of individuals once they have been identified as illegal immigrants. Many of them manage to evade authorities and integrate into local communities, making it difficult to locate them.
Lack of Coordination: Various law enforcement agencies struggle with coordination, which has further complicated monitoring and deportation efforts. Border districts in Assam have historically faced problems related to illegal immigration. Without an efficient method to trace and detain these individuals, law enforcement agencies struggle to maintain accountability.
Security Risks in Border Districts: Assam, which shares a long border with Bangladesh, has been historically vulnerable to illegal immigration. Officials fear that a weak enforcement system could aggravate security concerns.
Impact on Demographics: The issue has also sparked debates about its socio-political impact, with concerns about resource allocation, employment, and cultural shifts.
Inadequate Deportation Measures: Despite the Foreigners’ Tribunals identifying illegal immigrants, the absence of strong deportation strategies allows them to escape law enforcement scrutiny.

Authorities have repeatedly raised concerns about the inefficiency of the current system. Experts argue that immediate reforms are necessary to prevent further lapses in immigration enforcement.

Over 85K Foreign Nationals Missing In Assam, CM Sarma Informs State Assembly

Supreme Court Criticism of Assam’s Immigration Enforcement

The Supreme Court of India has previously criticized both the Assam government and the central government for failing to deport individuals declared as foreigners. The apex court raised concerns over the practice of keeping these individuals in detention centers indefinitely, stating that such indefinite detention violates basic human rights.

The Assam government, in response, cited a major hurdle in the deportation process—the inability to determine the original addresses of illegal immigrants in their home countries. Without proper identification and cooperation from the respective nations, deportation efforts face significant roadblocks.

What Needs to Change?

Experts believe Assam’s immigration enforcement system requires urgent reforms to prevent further lapses. Some potential solutions include:

1. Strengthening Tracking Mechanisms

Implementing biometric tracking systems to keep records of declared foreigners.
Enhancing the National Register of Citizens (NRC) database to track movement and prevent absconding.

2. Coordinated Law Enforcement Efforts

Improved coordination between state police, border security forces, and the central government.
Regular inter-agency reviews to ensure efficient monitoring and deportation planning.

3. Diplomatic Engagements for Deportation

Strengthening diplomatic ties with Bangladesh to facilitate deportation.
Signing bilateral agreements to ensure a structured process for returning illegal immigrants.

4. Community-Based Monitoring & Reporting

Encouraging local communities to report suspicious undocumented movements.
Educating citizens about the importance of legal documentation and verification.

The disappearance of over 85,000 declared foreigners in Assam underscores a deep-rooted flaw in immigration enforcement. Without robust tracking, effective deportation strategies, and legal reforms, the problem will continue to grow, posing challenges for security, governance, and social stability. The Assam government and the Centre must take immediate steps to strengthen their immigration policies and prevent further lapses in monitoring and deportation.

With inputs from agencies

Image Source: Multiple agencies