The Assam government has identified 32,207 illegal foreigners in the state since 2021, but only 1,416 have been deported so far, Implementation of Assam Accord Minister Atul Bora informed the Assembly on Wednesday.

Replying to Congress MLA Abdur Rahim Ahmed, Bora provided a year-wise break-up: 6,304 foreigners were detected in 2021, 8,790 in 2022, 6,703 in 2023, 6,120 in 2024, and 4,290 in 2025. He clarified that only Foreigners Tribunals can legally declare a person as a foreigner, with appeals allowed in higher courts if contested.

Citing the 1985 Assam Accord, Bora said individuals who entered Assam on or after March 25, 1971, are to be identified, removed from electoral rolls, and deported following due process.

On border fencing, Bora said 228.541 km of Assam’s 267.5 km international border with Bangladesh has been fenced across Dhubri, South Salmara-Mankachar, Cachar, and Sribhumi districts. Fencing along 4.35 km of the Kushiyara River in Sribhumi remains pending due to objections from the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB).