Assam’s Foreigners Tribunals Function

The Assam government directed its Border Police on July 5, 2023, not to refer cases of non-Muslims who arrived in India illegally before 2014 to Foreigners Tribunals (FTs). This decision aligns with the Citizenship (Amendment) Act of 2019, which offers a pathway to citizenship for non-Muslim minorities fleeing persecution from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, or Pakistan. The FTs, established by the Foreigners (Tribunals) Order of 1964, function as courts to determine the citizenship status of individuals in Assam. The Assam Police Border Organization, which identifies illegal immigrants and collaborates with the Border Security Force, is tasked with referring suspected cases to these tribunals. However, the FT system has faced criticism for procedural flaws, including improper notice serving and arbitrary decisions. Moving forward, enhancing the operational efficiency of FTs, ensuring legal fairness, and maintaining oversight are essential to address these challenges.