(a) whether the Government is aware of a large number of Indians, illegally migrating to/living in other countries, are facing deportation proceedings in the respective countries;
(b) if so, the details thereof, country-wise and State-wise;
(c) the procedure being followed in deportation of illegally migrated Indians and whether any financial assistance is extended to them for their return; and
(d) if so, the action taken by the Government in this regard?
MINISTER OF OVERSEAS INDIAN AFFAIRS (SHRI VAYALAR RAVI)
(a) to (d): Emigration clearance is granted to migrant workers who are holding Emigration
Clearance Required (ECR) Passports for the purpose of overseas employment, under the Emigration
Act, 1983 administered by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs. Workers migrating to the Gulf
are also governed by the Work Contract agreed upon between the Employer and the employees. The
majority of workers migrate after following the laid down procedures. However, there are
incidents of migrant workers overstaying on expiry of their valid Visas or changing their
Sponsors and working elsewhere without proper documentation. Such workers become illegal
workers and are deported by the host Countries from time to time, at their cost. The concerned
Indian Missions also provide financial assistance to the deported Indian nationals who do not
have money to meet their travel costs and this expenditure is borne from the Indian Community
Welfare Fund (ICWF) set up in the Missions.