Bengaluru faces a significant challenge with the growing number of foreign nationals overstaying their visas, with an average of 700 individuals remaining in the city each year. Despite the Foreign Regional Registration Office (FRRO) managing to deport around 150 people annually, many others evade detection, contributing to a rising issue of illegal immigration.
The overstayers include individuals whose visas have expired, undocumented immigrants held in detention, and those involved in criminal cases. According to an FRRO official, the office tracks those who overstay by monitoring entry data and the police reports of apprehended illegal immigrants. However, the city’s porous borders, especially with Nepal and Bangladesh, complicate enforcement, as many immigrants enter undetected, dispersing across the country without monitoring.
A senior police officer emphasized the government’s reluctance to seal these borders, citing diplomatic concerns with neighboring countries. The problem is compounded by the lack of a comprehensive tracking system for immigrants entering illegally. Recently, Bengaluru police detained 17 Pakistani nationals and over 20 Bangladeshi nationals who entered the country illegally, though none had criminal records.
While most foreign nationals are involved in petty crimes like theft and pickpocketing, some engage in more serious activities, such as drug trafficking. The police often struggle to track overstayers due to limited resources and overwhelming workloads, with many foreign nationals fleeing or changing addresses before they can be apprehended.
The Bengaluru police, though tasked with monitoring overstaying foreigners, face challenges due to a shortage of personnel. The coordination between the police and FRRO is often strained, leading to delays in action. Detention centers for overstaying foreign nationals are overcrowded, with individuals often relying on NGOs for accommodation. Efforts to create more space have been hindered by logistical issues, though the FRRO is in discussions to address the shortage.
In conclusion, Bengaluru’s foreign national overstayer issue requires better coordination, more staff, and stronger border control measures to address this growing problem effectively.
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