States have powers to detain, deport illegal migrants: Govt

NEW DELHI:The Government on Wednesday said state governments have been entrusted with powers under Constitution to detain and deport illegally staying foreign nationals and cancel their identification documents.
Replying during Question Hour in Rajya Sabha to questions on whether government is considering any specific actions to deport illegal immigrants considering the recent NIA report on illegal Bangladeshi and other migrants in Karnataka, Minister of state for Home Nityanand Rai said,”Illegal immigrants enter into the country without valid travel documents in a clandestine and superstitious manner. The state governments have been entrusted with powers to detain and deport illegally staying foreign nationals under Article 258(1) of the Constitution.”
He said the Centre is vested with powers to detain a foreign national staying illegally in the country under Section 3(2) (e) of The Foreigners Act, 1946.
The Ministry has issued instructions to state governments and UTs advising them to sensitise the law
enforcement and intelligence agencies for taking appropriate steps for identification of illegal migrants, their restriction to specified locations as per law, Mr Rai added.
The Minister also informed that the states have been advised to cancel any identification documents obtained fraudulently by illegal migrants.
(AGENCIES)