Centre working on law for safe migration amid US deportation
What's the story
The Indian government is considering a new law to facilitate safe and regulated migration for overseas employment.
The development was informed in the Lok Sabha by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs, headed by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor.
The proposed legislation, tentatively titled 'Overseas Mobility (Facilitation and Welfare) Bill, 2024,' aims to replace the outdated Emigration Act of 1983.
Legislative overhaul
New bill to facilitate circular mobility for emigrants
The MEA said the new bill seeks to enable circular mobility for those intending to emigrate for work.
The draft is being examined by other ministries and will be available for public feedback before further inter-ministerial deliberations.
The committee highlighted the need for a legislative overhaul to reflect modern global migration dynamics and called for its timely enactment within a year.
State preparedness
Punjab's response to the deportation of Indian nationals
"It aims to establish an enabling framework which will promote safe, orderly and regular migration for overseas employment. The proposed draft is under consultation with line Ministries."
"After the internal consultations draft will be put up for public Consultation for 15/30 days thereafter it will be followed up by Inter Ministerial Consultations along with the Draft Cabinet Note on revised draft," the report by the Parliamentary Standing Committee quoted the MEA as submitting.
Emigrant welfare
MEA's efforts to support Indian emigrants
Apart from legislative measures, the MEA is also collaborating with Indian embassies/consulates abroad to assist emigrants. This collaboration focuses on redressing grievances and ensuring their welfare.
The ministry said Indian missions/consulates spread awareness among emigrants and issue advisories for prospective emigrants.
These activities help them with information on safe migration practices, registered recruiting agents, valid foreign jobs, and how to avoid fraudulent recruiting agencies.
Deportation details
US deports 205 Indian nationals amid immigration crackdown
The proposal of the new law comes at at a time when the first batch of 104 illegal Indian immigrants were deported from the US.
Reports suggest that India may be willing to take back as many as 18,000 undocumented Indian migrants from the US.
According to a Department of Homeland Security report, there were around 220,000 undocumented Indian migrants in the US as of 2022.