Relief for refugees, Pg10

Key Highlights:

• The Immigration and Foreigners (Exemption) Order, 2025, effective September 1, exempts certain groups from passport and visa requirements for entry, stay, and exit in India.
• Beneficiaries include nationals of Nepal and Bhutan, Tibetan refugees, six religious minorities from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, and Sri Lankan Tamils.
• Sri Lankan Tamils who took refuge in India before January 9, 2015, and are registered, are protected from forcible repatriation.
• The order does not clarify whether these refugees will be able to shed their "illegal migrants" tag for citizenship applications.

Detailed Insights:

• The Union government and Tamil Nadu government have supported Sri Lankan Tamil welfare since the end of the Sri Lankan civil war in 2009.
• Despite this support, Sri Lankan Tamils were excluded from the Citizenship Amendment Act amendment six years ago, which offered citizenship to non-Muslim groups from three Muslim-majority countries.
• A hurdle for Sri Lankan Tamils applying for Indian citizenship is their classification as "illegal migrants" under the Citizenship Act, 1955.
• Granting Long Term Visas (LTVs) would enable Sri Lankan Tamil refugees to access employment and higher education opportunities.
• The government could consider the "certificate of identity" model used for Tibetan refugees as a potential solution.
• India and Sri Lanka should collaborate on a voluntary repatriation program with structured assistance for returning refugees.
• Local integration is presented as another potential solution, emphasizing the need for a humane approach by all stakeholders.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Illegal Migrants: Individuals who enter or remain in a country without legal authorization.
• Citizenship Act, 1955: Indian law that specifies the requirements and procedures for acquiring Indian citizenship.
• Long Term Visa (LTV): A visa allowing foreign nationals to reside in a country for an extended period, often for work or study.