“What Happens to Bangladeshi Immigrants After They Are Arrested?”

Introduction

Every month, news of their arrest comes from near the border, but apart from these arrests, they have to go through some

difficult processes like police custody, legal battle and in some cases even deportation. So what happens to the immigrants

after they are caught?

The flow of immigrants began in large numbers during the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971, when nearly 10 million people

took shelter in India. While most returned after the war, many stayed behind, and fresh waves of migrants have continued

ever since. Due to the proximity of the Northeast States to Bangladesh, it remains the main entry point to take entry in India illegally.

The process usually begins with police interception. Once detained, immigrants are brought before a local court, where police

seek remand for investigation. During this period, officials question them about how they entered India, whether they were

linked to criminal networks, and the reasons behind their illegal stay.

Cases are then registered under the Foreigners Act and other laws. While the trial is underway, immigrants are sent to

detention centre. These facilities are meant to be temporary, but many people remain there for months or even years until

their cases are resolved.

If immigrants are found guilty in court, they are prepared for deportation. This requires coordination between Indian and

Bangladeshi authorities, after which immigrants are sent back across the border.

Government data shows that deportations have fallen sharply over the years:

2009: 10,602 deported

2010: 6,290

2011: 6,761

2012: 6,537

2013: 5,235

2014: 989

2015: 474

2016: 308

2017: 51

From more than 10,000 deportations in 2009, the number dropped to just 51 by 2017. Although official data for recent

years has not been released, estimates suggest that 1,000–2,000 people are deported each year. Yet, despite these

numbers, it is believed that over 20 million Bangladeshi immigrants are still living illegally in India.

In recent years, India has begun using a new method, unofficially called Operation Push Back. Instead of long legal

proceedings, security forces directly send immigrants back across the border.

While this approach speeds up deportation, it has also angered Bangladesh’s government. Dhaka lodged a complaint

with New Delhi, prompting India’s Home Ministry to announce a 30-day verification process before push backs are carried out.