illegal immigration

The Supreme Court stated that illegal infiltration by Bangladeshi nationals is not a terrorist act, even as the BJP vows to expel them from West Bengal. The court granted bail to an individual arrested for facilitating illegal immigration, noting the porous border with Bangladesh and the large number of immigrants already in India.

India urged Bangladesh to expedite nationality verification for illegal immigrants, linking it to repatriation efforts. This response follows Bangladesh's concerns about potential "pushback" incidents after the BJP's West Bengal election victory, with Dhaka seeking cooperation for smooth deportations.

US non-immigrant visa applicants now face new questions about experiencing or fearing harm in their home countries, with affirmative answers potentially leading to denial. This change could impact future asylum claims, as applicants might be challenged on the veracity of their statements. Immigration experts suggest these questions target legal immigrants who might later seek asylum.

In a decisive move, Assam recently deported 20 illegal immigrants back to Bangladesh, marking the second significant operation of this kind this year. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma hailed this as a proactive approach to combat unlawful entry, vowing to intensify enforcement efforts.

A Gujarati businessman residing illegally in the US for 16 years faces a USD 1.8 million civil penalty for defying a removal order. The fine, calculated at over USD 998 daily, was imposed despite his pending U visa application. This significant penalty highlights a rare instance involving a Gujarati national, with thousands of similar notices issued to other migrants.

A BJP victory in Bengal could streamline India-Bangladesh ties, boosting cooperation on water, trade, and security. This alignment offers a chance to revive the stalled Teesta water-sharing deal, a crucial confidence-building measure.

Following significant local election losses, Labour leader Keir Starmer has appointed former Prime Minister Gordon Brown as a special envoy. This move comes amidst calls for Starmer's resignation from some party MPs, while voters express dissatisfaction with economic issues and immigration. Reform UK and the Greens have seen substantial gains in the polls.

Today’s immigration battles in the US echo older fights over race, labour, security and belonging. How have these waves reshaped the country across nearly 250 years?