Prevent illegal immigrants from committing crimes: HC

Court directs Union Home Ministry to consider framing appropriate laws

The Madras High Court on Monday directed the Union Home Ministry to consider framing appropriate laws, in three months, to prevent illegal immigrants from committing petty crimes, repeatedly, just to stay back in the country. Expressing shock over some illegal immigrants managing to even obtain Aaadhar cards, the court impressed upon the need to deport every foreigner residing illegally in the country.

Justice M. Dhandapani ordered that Foreigners Registration Offices and Immigration Check Posts on land borders should share details regarding the entry of foreigners into the country with the State law enforcing agency on a fortnightly basis. The State police, in turn, must track the movement of foreigners by establishing special wings in every district and identify those who overstay their visa period without valid extensions.

Foreigners who have overstayed their visa period or have entered the country illegally without requisite documents must be sent to detention camps/holding centres until they get repatriated to their countries as per guidelines issued by the Home Ministry. Foreigners lodged in prisons on being convicted for criminal offences must be deported immediately after the completion of their sentence, the judge ordered.