The West Bengal government led by Suvendu Adhikari has started implementing its election promise to act against illegal immigration by adopting a “detect, delete and deport” policy.

As part of this move, the state home and hill affairs department issued a directive to all district magistrates to establish holding centres for suspected illegal immigrants and released foreign prisoners awaiting deportation or repatriation.

The order follows earlier advisories from the Union home ministry regarding the handling of Bangladeshi nationals and Rohingyas allegedly living illegally in India.

According to officials, these holding centres will temporarily accommodate people detained on suspicion of illegal entry into the country while authorities verify their nationality and documents.Under existing central guidelines, such individuals may be held for up to 30 days during the verification process.District magistrates or officers of equivalent rank will take the final decision regarding citizenship status.

The report compares the Bengal government’s approach with the immigration policies promoted by US President Donald Trump, who had campaigned heavily on mass deportation and stricter immigration enforcement.

Similarities were drawn between Bengal’s proposed holding centres and immigrant detention centres used in the United States under Trump-era immigration measures.The article also highlights criticism faced by strict immigration policies in both contexts.Rights groups in the US have raised concerns regarding detention practices, due process, and civil liberties.In West Bengal, the long-term implementation details of the “detect, delete and deport” policy are still unclear.

The issue of illegal infiltration has remained politically sensitive in the state, especially concerning the India-Bangladesh border and allegations involving border security management.