Centre tells SC foreign nationals can't be deported without nationality verification

The Centre has told the Supreme Court that a foreign national whose nationality remains unverified cannot be deported unless the person's home country confirms their nationality and agrees to accept them.

The submission was made in an affidavit filed by the Ministry of Home Affairs in a petition challenging the indefinite detention of people declared foreigners in Assam despite having no immediate prospect of deportation.

"A foreign national whose nationality is unknown or unverified can be deported to their home country only upon confirmation of their nationality, possession of a valid travel document, or acceptance by the home country concerned. The deportation procedure cannot be initiated without nationality verification," the Centre said.

The Centre said deportation can be carried out by the concerned state, Union Territory or the Foreigners Regional Registration Office after the individual has completed any sentence or court proceedings, provided no other criminal case is pending and the person possesses valid travel documents.

It added that the required travel documents must first be obtained from the embassy or high commission of the country concerned through the process of nationality verification before deportation can take place.