Portrait of Narendra Modi
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Narendra Modi on Illegal Immigration

Strict on Infiltrators (strong)

Narendra Modi expresses a firm position that illegal immigrants have no right to reside in India, stating that his government "will not allow a single illegal immigrant to stay" in the country.

This strong stance is frequently articulated in the context of national security and preserving the demography of border regions, particularly in states like Assam and West Bengal.

Domestically, the government has linked illegal migration to internal security threats and communal tensions, while internationally, Modi has emphasized cooperation to combat the entire ecosystem of human trafficking that facilitates illegal crossings.

Context

The issue of illegal immigration is particularly salient for Narendra Modi given the political dynamics in states bordering Bangladesh, such as Assam and West Bengal, where migration has historically been a contentious issue affecting regional identity and demography.

Modi's political narrative often contrasts his administration's actions against illegal immigrants with the alleged appeasement and vote-bank politics of the opposition Congress party regarding the same issue.

Actions Taken

  1. Policy Enforcement
    Home Minister Amit Shah stated the government will not allow a single illegal immigrant to stay, framing the National Register of Citizens (NRC) as a process to weed out 'foreign infiltrators'.
  2. Legislation
    The Modi government proposed the Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025, aiming to centralize immigration laws, impose stringent fines for illegal entry/overstaying, and place responsibility for deportations on carriers.
  3. International Cooperation
    The government collaborated with US authorities to identify and repatriate undocumented Indian nationals residing illegally in the US, a move linked to maintaining positive bilateral ties.
  4. Policy Announcement
    PM Modi announced the high-powered demography mission to protect the country from dangers posed by illegal immigrants who are allegedly changing the country's demography through a conspiracy.

Key Quotes

The government will not allow a single **illegal immigrant** to stay back in the country.

Statement by Home Affairs Minister Amit Shah, paraphrasing Modi's position September 9, 2019 — Following the completion of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) process in Assam.

It applies to the entire world that anyone who enters a country illegally has no right to live there.

Joint press conference with US President Donald Trump February 14, 2025 — Responding to a question on the issue of Indian nationals residing in the US illegally.

Due to the increasing population of infiltrators, riots have started occurring in many areas of West Bengal, including Malda and Murshidabad.

Public meeting at Malda district January 17, 2026 — Claiming illegal migration is altering West Bengal's demographics.

Under a well-thought-out conspiracy, the country's **demography** is being changed, and seeds of a new crisis are being sown.

Independence Day address August 16, 2025 — Announcing a mission to protect the country from the dangers posed by **illegal immigrants**.

Related Positions

  • Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) Provides a pathway to citizenship for persecuted religious minorities from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan, excluding Muslims, which is related to the government's definition of who belongs versus who is an 'illegal immigrant'.
  • National Register of Citizens (NRC) The exercise cited by the government as a tool to identify and potentially deport 'foreign infiltrators' or illegal immigrants.

Criticism

Asom Gana Parishad (AGP)

Accused Modi and the BJP of cheating the people of Assam by failing to deport illegal Bangladeshi immigrants after promising they would have to leave, alleging 'vote bank politics'.

Opposition Political Figures (Congress)

Accused of indulging in 'anti-national activities' by allegedly settling and protecting illegal Bangladeshi migrants to strengthen their vote bank in Assam.