To strengthen national security, uphold social harmony, and ensure efficient resource management, both the central and state governments are accelerating efforts to identify illegal foreign nationals. Uttar Pradesh, India’s largest and strategically significant state, is taking a particularly proactive role in this initiative. All District Magistrates and senior police officials have been instructed to give top priority to verifying foreign nationals and thoroughly reviewing their documentation.
Uttar Pradesh’s geographical positioning, sharing borders with eight states, one Union Territory, and Nepal, adds further urgency to this campaign. In recent years, incidents involving infiltration, fake identity documents, and activities affecting stability have risen in border regions, directly impacting the state. The unauthorised settlement of foreign nationals in cities under forged identities poses a challenge not only to law and order but also to social balance and the fair distribution of public resources.
With these concerns in mind, the Uttar Pradesh Police and district administrations are jointly accelerating verification and identification procedures. Authorities have emphasized that the process will be fair and transparent, ensuring no inconvenience to law-abiding individuals. At the same time, strict action will be taken against those found using fraudulent documents or involved in suspicious activities.
To support this process, temporary detention centers will be set up in every district. These facilities will allow officials to safely house individuals until documentation checks are complete, helping prevent misuse of public services and easing pressure on local civic systems.
According to information shared in Parliament, former Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju stated in 2016 that an estimated 20 million illegal Bangladeshi immigrants may be residing in India. Additionally, in August 2017, he informed Parliament that more than 40,000 illegal Rohingya migrants are present in the country.
The presence of illegal foreign nationals affects government benefits, employment opportunities, and resource distribution. Many attempt to access welfare schemes through forged identities, which directly disadvantages genuine beneficiaries. Rapidly growing cities such as Lucknow, Noida, Ghaziabad, and Varanasi face the greatest pressure due to already dense populations and high demand on infrastructure.
Experts warn that districts along the Nepal border are particularly vulnerable to unauthorized entry, fake identity creation, and activities that may compromise security, making timely verification essential. Overall, this campaign represents a decisive step toward improving law and order, protecting social harmony, managing resources responsibly, and addressing future security concerns. With these measures, Uttar Pradesh aims to create a more secure, balanced, and resilient environment for its citizens.
