Over Two Million Illegal Immigrants in India by 2021.

 Over Two Million Illegal Immigrants in India by 2021

MP Mahesh Kumar proposes the Bureau of Missing Individuals Private Bill.

A 45% increase in foreign students over the last decade necessitates protective measures.

MP Mahesh Kumar supports the Immigration and Foreigners Bill - 2025 in Lok Sabha.

Delhi/Eluru, March 27 (prajaamaravati): MP Mahesh Kumar expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to participate in the discussion on the Immigration and Foreigners Bill 2025. He extended his full support to this progressive decision, which strengthens national security while upholding the spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (The World is One Family). On behalf of the Telugu Desam Party leader and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, Shri Nara Chandrababu Naidu, MP Mahesh Kumar congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah for introducing this bill.

India has always welcomed people from diverse religious, racial, and gender backgrounds worldwide. However, entering and becoming part of a country's society requires proper regulations and procedures. Illegal immigration has become a significant issue. Estimates suggest that in the past decade, the number of illegal immigrants in India has increased annually by 10-15%. Reports indicate that by 2021, India had over two million illegal immigrants, primarily from neighboring countries. MP Mahesh Kumar highlighted that this growing number is straining the nation’s resources, infrastructure, and security systems.

Since the era of Nalanda University, India has been a global education hub, attracting students worldwide to study medicine, engineering, law, philosophy, Indian culture, and history. Over the last ten years, the number of foreign students in India has increased by 45%, with over 50,000 students from 160 countries enrolling annually. Given this rise, MP Mahesh Kumar emphasized the need for a secure system to manage and protect student information.

In the past five years, the healthcare and tourism sectors have grown at an 18% rate. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, India’s medical sector has seen remarkable progress. Since 2023, over 700,000 medical tourists have visited India, generating an estimated $9 billion in revenue. As this sector continues to expand, MP Mahesh Kumar stressed the necessity of implementing strong data security laws to protect personal privacy while effectively managing medical tourist information.

The bill also proposes establishing an Immigration Monitoring Division to not only oversee incoming foreigners but also support Indians facing difficulties abroad. Andhra Pradesh has witnessed a rise in cases of missing children, women, and transgender individuals, causing immense distress to their families. Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan has also expressed concern over this issue. To address this growing problem, MP Mahesh Kumar has introduced a private member bill titled the Bureau of Missing Individuals. This initiative aims to create a national database for missing persons and improve inter-state investigations. He urged the government to integrate this aspect into the Immigration Bureau.

"The Immigration and Foreigners Bill - 2025 is a balanced law that safeguards national security while contributing to economic growth. With its regulated immigration policies and improved enforcement mechanisms, India will remain a secure and welcoming nation. Therefore, I extend my full support to this bill and appreciate the government’s efforts," MP Puttah Mahesh Kumar concluded in his speech.