(a) whether the Government is aware of the fact that a number of Indians who are migrating to other countries illegally/living in other countries illegally are facing the repatriation process;
(b) if so, the country-wise and state-wise details thereof;
(c) the procedure being followed to repatriate the illegal Indian migrants;
(d) whether any financial assistance is being given to the people being repatriated; and
(e) if so, the action taken by the Government in this regard?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
[GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD)]
(a) to (c) Many foreign countries do not provide information on illegal stay or work of Indian nationals in their countries readily, except when they are under orders of deportation. As such, our Missions and Posts do not have any reliable data on the number of Indians staying or working illegally in foreign countries.
When a particular country approaches or informs the concerned Indian Missions abroad about need to deport Indian nationals, the concerned Indian Mission, as per laid down procedures of the Government of India, first verifies the Nationalities of the persons to be deported. After that, if any document is required to facilitate repatriation, such as, issue of Emergency Certificate, if the person/persons do not have Indian passports, the same is issued, so that he/they can be repatriated.
(d) & (e) The Government enables legal travel and stay of Indian nationals abroad. Whenever any detention of an Indian national for violation of immigration and other laws is brought to our notice, our Missions/Posts abroad seek consular access and visit detention centres where Indian nationals are detained. The Mission/Post officials abroad also attend to labour/general court hearings against Indian nationals for violation of immigration laws from time to time. Some of our Missions/Posts also issue advisories to Indian nationals counselling them to regularize their visas and residency documents in the country of their stay.
Financial assistance is provided to the people being repatriated whenever a deserving case is brought to the attention of the concerned Indian Mission. This includes, if necessary, bearing legal fees, payment of fine, air fare for return to India. Financial assistance is provided through the Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF).
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