Assam Administration Orders Expulsion of Declared Foreigners

In a significant move, the Assam administration has ordered two declared foreigners to vacate the state within 24 hours, citing threats to public interest and internal security. This action falls under the 1950 Immigrants Expulsion from Assam Act, which allows authorities to bypass traditional legal channels. The women, identified as Asmul Khatun and Afuja Begum, were declared foreigners in 2005. Their deportation process is currently underway, raising questions about the state's approach to undocumented migrants. This article delves into the implications of these orders and the broader context of immigration policies in Assam.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 23, 2025, 11:14 IST

Expulsion Orders Issued in Assam

The authorities in Assam's Biswanath district have mandated that two individuals identified as declared foreigners must exit the state within a 24-hour timeframe, as reported by a local news outlet on Tuesday.

This directive was enacted under the 1950 Immigrants Expulsion from Assam Act, which empowers district commissioners and senior police officials to remove illegal migrants from the state without going through the foreigners tribunals.

The expulsion order, dated December 20, specifically names Asmul Khatun and Afuja Begum, who were classified as foreigners by the Foreigners Tribunal back in 2005.

The order states that the presence of Khatun and Begum in Assam poses a threat to public interest and the state's internal security.

They have been instructed to leave via designated routes including Dhubri, Sribhumi, or South Salmara-Mankachar, effectively necessitating their departure from the country.

According to Biswanath Superintendent of Police Ajagwran Basumatary, the two women are currently held at the Matia Transit Camp in Goalpara district.

Basumatary indicated that their deportation process is underway and will proceed once clearance is received from the Border Security Force.

Similar expulsion orders were previously issued to 15 individuals in Nagaon district on December 17, and five others in Sonitpur district on November 18.

In September, the Assam Cabinet approved a standard operating procedure under the 1950 Act, which allows district authorities to manage cases of undocumented migrants, previously handled by foreigners tribunals.

The Chief Minister had mentioned that this new procedure would significantly reduce the role of the foreigners tribunals.

These tribunals, which are quasi-judicial entities, have faced criticism for their perceived arbitrariness and bias, often declaring individuals as foreigners based on minor errors or insufficient documentation.

Under the new procedure, if a district commissioner receives a report suggesting someone may be an illegal immigrant, they will instruct the individual to provide proof of citizenship within ten days.

If the evidence is deemed inadequate, the commissioner can issue an expulsion order under the 1950 Act, allowing for removal within 24 hours via specified routes.

In June, the Chief Minister informed the Assembly of plans to invoke the 1950 law to facilitate the expulsion of more suspected foreigners.

He asserted that the removal of declared foreigners is legally justified under the Immigrants Expulsion from Assam Act.

Also read: Why experts contest Assam CM’s use of 1950 law to justify forcing out people into Bangladesh