Haryana Government Cracks Down on Illegal Immigration: Travel Agents Face Up to 10 Years Jail, Rs 2 Lakh Fine

The Voice of Chandigarh News:

Haryana Government Cracks Down on Illegal Immigration: Travel Agents Face Up to 10 Years Jail, Rs 2 Lakh Fine.

• Mandatory registration: Travel agents in Haryana will be required to register with the government, with stringent verification and renewal processes. This aims to create a transparent system and identify and weed out unscrupulous agents.
• Penalties: The bill proposes harsh penalties for travel agents involved in illegal immigration activities, including:
  • Imprisonment: Up to 10 years in jail for facilitating travel abroad using fake documents or other illegal means.
  • Financial penalties: A minimum fine of Rs. 2 lakh, potentially extending to Rs. 5 lakh, depending on the severity of the offense.
  • Property confiscation: The bill empowers authorities to confiscate movable and immovable properties of convicted travel agents, further deterring illegal practices.
• Combating “donkey route”: The bill specifically targets the “donkey route”, a term used for dangerous and illegal immigration pathways organized by unscrupulous agents.

Objectives of the bill:

• To protect individuals, especially young people, from falling prey to fraudulent immigration schemes.
• To deter travel agents from engaging in illegal immigration activities.
• To disrupt and dismantle networks involved in human trafficking and illegal immigration.

Current status:

• The bill was approved by the Haryana Cabinet, and is expected to be tabled in the state legislature soon.
• Once passed, the bill will need to be notified by the Governor before it comes into effect.

Additional context:

• This bill is part of a wider effort by the Haryana government to address illegal immigration concerns. They have also established a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate immigration fraud and have proposed stricter regulations for travel agents, including a Rs. 25 lakh bank guarantee requirement.
• The effectiveness of the bill will depend on its implementation and enforcement. While it may deter some unscrupulous agents, addressing the root causes of illegal immigration will require a multi-pronged approach.

If you have any further questions about the specifics of the bill, its potential impact, or the wider context of illegal immigration in Haryana, feel free to ask!