Nigeria Tops List of Deportations from India in 2023-24

Nigeria Tops List of Deportations from India in 2023-24

News:
The Union Home Ministry's annual report for 2023-24 revealed that Nigerian nationals accounted for the highest number of deportations from India. A total of 2,331 foreigners were deported between April 1, 2023, and March 31, 2024, with Nigerians making up a significant portion.

Key Statistics – Deportation Figures:

• Total Foreigners Deported: 2,331
• Nigerian Nationals: 1,470
• Bangladeshi Nationals: 411
• Ugandan Nationals: 78

Reasons for Deportation:
Deportations were primarily linked to visa overstays and violations of visa conditions. The Foreigners Regional Registration Officers (FRROs) manage the records of foreigners entering India with valid documents.

Long-Term Visas and Citizenship:

• Long-Term Visas (LTVs): 1,112 visas were granted to minority communities from Pakistan.
• Citizenship Certificates: 1,699 were issued from April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2024.
• Delegated Powers: State governments in nine states, covering 31 districts, were authorized to grant citizenship under the Citizenship Act, 1955.

Citizenship Breakdown:

• Registered (Section 5): 1,278
• Naturalized (Section 6): 421

The report did not specify citizenship certificates issued under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), 2019.

Foreign Visitors to India:

• Total Visitors: 98 lakh (9.8 million)
• Top 3 Countries:
• Bangladesh: 21,08,734 visitors
• United States: 17,37,549 visitors
• United Kingdom: 9,86,954 visitors
• Other Countries: Australia, Canada, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Germany, Nepal, and Singapore.

Major Concerns:

• Visa Violations: High incidence of overstaying and unauthorized activities.
• Border Management: Increased monitoring of entry points, particularly for nations with high overstays.

Way Forward:
Strengthening immigration controls, enforcing stricter visa policies, and enhancing collaboration with foreign embassies to manage deportation cases effectively.

Extra Facts for Competitive Exams:

Nigeria:

• Population: 218 million (2024 est.) – Largest in Africa.
• Capital: Abuja
• Economy: Largest economy in Africa, driven by oil and gas exports.
• Language: English (official), with over 500 indigenous languages spoken.

Bangladesh:

• Population: 174 million (2024 est.)
• Capital: Dhaka
• Economy: Second-largest textile exporter globally.
• Language: Bengali (Bangla)

Uganda:

• Population: 46 million (2024 est.)
• Capital: Kampala
• Key Exports: Coffee, gold, and fish.
• Language: English, Swahili (official)