Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has announced an aggressive new timeline for the removal of foreigners declared illegal by the state’s Foreigner Tribunals: deportation within one week of the final order. The pledge, delivered to reporters in Guwahati late on 1 January 2026, represents the state’s toughest enforcement stance since the tribunals were created in 1964.
Until now, people found to be illegal residents could remain in Assam for months or years while appeals wound through higher courts. Sarma argued that the delay encouraged serial litigation and prolonged detention costs for the state. Citing a recent Supreme Court ruling that affirmed the 1950 Immigrants (Expulsion from Assam) Act, the Chief Minister said district collectors would be ordered to coordinate immediate “push-back” operations at the Indo-Bangladesh border.
The government claims it has already expelled about 2,000 people in recent months and freed 1.45 lakh bighas of land from alleged encroachment. Human-rights groups counter that many residents lack documentation because of poor record-keeping and that accelerated removals risk statelessness.
![Assam to deport foreigners within seven days of tribunal order, says Chief Minister]()
Organizations and individuals needing professional guidance on Indian visa categories, residency documentation or exit formalities can turn to VisaHQ’s India portal (https://www.visahq.com/india/) for streamlined application support and real-time compliance updates. The service’s online tools and customer specialists help ensure that paperwork meets the latest state and central requirements—particularly valuable in jurisdictions like Assam where enforcement timelines have tightened overnight.
Business associations worry the crackdown could hit tea-garden and construction labour supply if long-settled workers are classified as foreigners.
For global-mobility managers relocating staff to Assam or neighbouring states, the policy underscores the importance of maintaining impeccable records of citizenship, work permits and proof of residence. Companies should brief any foreign nationals—particularly Bangladeshi specialists—on heightened checks at railway stations, worksites and accommodations.
The central government has not commented, but legal observers say other border states could emulate Assam’s rapid-deportation model if it survives court challenges.
Until now, people found to be illegal residents could remain in Assam for months or years while appeals wound through higher courts. Sarma argued that the delay encouraged serial litigation and prolonged detention costs for the state. Citing a recent Supreme Court ruling that affirmed the 1950 Immigrants (Expulsion from Assam) Act, the Chief Minister said district collectors would be ordered to coordinate immediate “push-back” operations at the Indo-Bangladesh border.
The government claims it has already expelled about 2,000 people in recent months and freed 1.45 lakh bighas of land from alleged encroachment. Human-rights groups counter that many residents lack documentation because of poor record-keeping and that accelerated removals risk statelessness.
Organizations and individuals needing professional guidance on Indian visa categories, residency documentation or exit formalities can turn to VisaHQ’s India portal (https://www.visahq.com/india/) for streamlined application support and real-time compliance updates. The service’s online tools and customer specialists help ensure that paperwork meets the latest state and central requirements—particularly valuable in jurisdictions like Assam where enforcement timelines have tightened overnight.
Business associations worry the crackdown could hit tea-garden and construction labour supply if long-settled workers are classified as foreigners.
For global-mobility managers relocating staff to Assam or neighbouring states, the policy underscores the importance of maintaining impeccable records of citizenship, work permits and proof of residence. Companies should brief any foreign nationals—particularly Bangladeshi specialists—on heightened checks at railway stations, worksites and accommodations.
The central government has not commented, but legal observers say other border states could emulate Assam’s rapid-deportation model if it survives court challenges.
