In a detailed submission to the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court, the Tamil Nadu government revealed that 237 foreign nationals have been deported from the state between 2022 and 25 May 2025.
The information was part of a counter-affidavit filed by N. Stephen Jesubatham, Superintendent of Police, Security Branch CID, Chennai, on behalf of the Director-General of Police. According to the affidavit, 66 cases were registered during this period involving 188 foreigners who were found overstaying in Tamil Nadu. In addition, 14 cases involving 31 African nationals were related to drug trafficking, while 65 more cases were filed against 280 foreign nationals for various other criminal offenses.
The Bureau of Immigration under the Ministry of Home Affairs reported that, as of 25 May 2025, a total of 17,770 foreign nationals have overstayed in Tamil Nadu since 2011. Many of them have since moved to other states, and both the Bureau and Tamil Nadu Police are actively working to locate and monitor them.
Following the recent terror incident in Pahalgam, the Ministry of Home Affairs has revoked all valid visas issued to Pakistani nationals excluding those for medical, diplomatic, long-term, and official purposes. Medical visas remained valid only until 29 April 2025. Currently, 40 Pakistani nationals are residing in Tamil Nadu, with 16 on long-term visas and 24 having applied for extensions. All of them are lawfully present, as per the Home Ministry’s orders.
In terms of Rohingya migrants, the state has recorded 95 Myanmar nationals residing within its borders. The Centre has recently revised its procedures for identifying and deporting undocumented Bangladeshi and Rohingya individuals.
To better manage the situation, a special detention facility is operational in Tiruchirappalli, currently housing 151 foreign nationals. In anticipation of overcrowding, the government has re-designated the Cheyyar Special Camp in Tiruvannamalai district to hold such individuals until legal proceedings conclude, and deportation is carried out, as per the Foreigners Act.
Several undocumented Bangladeshi nationals have been apprehended across the state and are currently held in Puzhal Central Prison. If they are released on bail, they will be transferred to special camps pending deportation.
Police Commissioners and District Superintendents, who serve as Foreigners Registration Officers (FROs), have been instructed to routinely trace and verify the identities of overstaying foreigners. These officials are responsible for updating records, initiating legal action when necessary, and regularizing stays where applicable. Additionally, each FRO office has designated a Deputy Superintendent of Police as a nodal officer to oversee operations related to the Foreigners Identification Portal (FIP).
When a foreigner is arrested, FROs initiate deportation procedures under the Foreigners Act. The State government coordinates with the Ministries of External and Home Affairs to secure travel documents and carry out deportations when necessary. Monitoring remains ongoing, and any illegal activity involving foreign nationals will prompt immediate legal action, including expulsion.
The court, presided over by Justices S.M. Subramaniam and A.D. Maria Clete, directed the Central government to respond within three weeks and scheduled the next hearing accordingly. The matter stems from a public interest litigation filed by K.K. Ramesh of Madurai, urging swift action against foreigners who continue to reside in India after their visas have expired.
