The State government has informed the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court that from 2022 to May 25, 2025, 237 foreign nationals have been deported to their countries.
In a counter affidavit, Superintendent of Police, Security Branch CID, Chennai, N. Stephen Jesubatham, on behalf of the Director-General of Police, submitted that during this period, 66 cases were registered against 188 foreign nationals who were found to be overstaying in Tamil Nadu. Additionally, 14 cases were registered against 31 African nationals for transporting drugs and 65 cases were registered against 280 foreign nationals for other offences.
According to the Bureau of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs, there are 17,770 foreigners overstaying in Tamil Nadu since 2011 (as on May 25, 2025). Several of them, who landed in Tamil Nadu, have travelled to other States. The Tamil Nadu Police and the Bureau of Immigration are taking regular efforts to trace these foreigners.
Following the Pahalgam attack, the Under Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, has issued orders with regard to revocation of visas of Pakistani nationals. As per the order, all existing valid visas, except medical, long-term, diplomatic and officials visas, issued to Pakistani nationals stands revoked. Medical visa was valid till April 29. A total of 40 Pakistani nationals were reportedly staying in Tamil Nadu, of which 16 were granted long-term visas and 24 have applied for long-term visa extension. They are on valid stay as per the order of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Revised procedure
A total of 95 Rohingyas (Myanmar nationals) were staying in the State. The Ministry has issued a revised procedure for the deportation of illegal Bangladeshi nationals/Rohingyas (Myanmar nationals).
To restrict the movement of illegal/overstaying foreigners, one Special camp was functioning in Tiruchi. At present, 151 foreigners have been accommodated in Tiruchi Special Camp. Anticipating space constraints, the government has issued a G.O. re-notifying Cheyyar Special Camp in Tiruvannamalai district to accommodate foreign nationals till the disposal of the cases against them and deportation under the Foreigners Act.
Bangladeshi nationals who stayed illegally have been arrested across the State and have been lodged in the Puzhal Central Prison. If they come out on bail, they will be lodged in special camps till their deportation.
Commissioners of Police in cities and Superintendent of Police in districts who are the Foreigners Registration Officers (FRO) have been instructed to regularly locate, identify and physically verify overstaying foreigners in their jurisdiction and to regularise their stay or deport them. They were also instructed to ensure details are updated properly and defaulters are dealt with under relevant Acts/Rules. As per the directions of the Foreigners Regional Registration Office, FROs in cities/districts have nominated a DSP level officer as nodal officer for Foreigners Identification Portal (FIP) to monitor foreigners.
If foreigners are arrested, proposals are initiated by FROs for their deportation under the Foreigners Act. The State government will issue deportation orders after arranging travel documents to the foreigner, if required, in consultation with the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Home Affairs. The authorities were monitoring the foreigners and if they indulge in any illegal activities, appropriate action will be initiated including to deport them, it was submitted.
A Division Bench of Justices S.M. Subramaniam and A.D. Maria Clete directed the Central government to file its counter affidavit in three weeks and posted the matter for hearing after three weeks. The court was hearing the public interest litigation petition filed by K.K. Ramesh of Madurai who sought a direction to the authorities to take immediate action against foreign nationals who were staying in India even after the expiry of their visa.
Published – June 28, 2025 10:58 pm IST
