Bengal’s Big Move: Govt To Set Up Holding Centres For Illegal Migrants Awaiting Deportation

Last Updated:May 24, 2026, 14:44 IST

According to the directive, district administrations have been asked to take necessary steps to establish Holding Centres in their respective districts.

The West Bengal government has instructed all District Magistrates to establish “Holding Centres" for detained illegal foreigners and foreign-origin prisoners released from jail who are awaiting deportation or repatriation.

The directive was issued through a letter dated May 23, 2026, by the Home & Hill Affairs Department, Foreigners’ Branch, SAARC VISA Section, from Writers’ Buildings in Kolkata.

The communication was sent to all District Magistrates across the state and referred to a Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) communication dated May 2, 2025, issued by the Foreigners’ Division of the Government of India.

According to the directive, district administrations have been asked to take necessary steps to establish Holding Centres in their respective districts.

The centres are intended to house foreign nationals apprehended for allegedly staying illegally in India, as well as released foreign prisoners awaiting deportation or repatriation.

The instruction specifically mentions deportation procedures related to illegal Bangladeshis and Rohingyas staying in India and states that the move is in line with MHA guidelines.

Earlier, West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari on Thursday said Bangladeshi infiltrators detained in the state would now be directly handed over to the Border Security Force (BSF) for deportation instead of being produced before courts under a newly implemented system.

Speaking after an administrative review meeting, Adhikari said the directive had already been conveyed to the city police commissioner and the Railway Protection Force (RPF).

“Since yesterday, the new rule has come into effect under which infiltrators will not be sent to courts but handed over to BSF outposts at the Bangladesh border," he said.

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