VK Saxena, the Lieutenant Governor (LG) of Delhi, has acknowledged claims that the number of illegal immigrants in the city has increased. The LG has responded by ordering officials to guarantee prompt corrective action.

The Chief Secretary, the Police Commissioner, the Commissioner of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), and the Chairman of the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) have all received correspondence from the Principal Secretary to the LG, according to news agency ANI. 

“Chief Secretary may issue instructions to District Magistrates through Divisional Commissioner to exercise extra vigil in verification of people applying for identity documents. Separately, Commissioner Police may also issue instructions to field-level officials to be extra vigilant especially while undertaking inspections of squatters along roadside and on vacant Government land. Further, Delhi Police shall conduct a special drive for one month for identification of illegal immigrants and take further action in coordination with central agencies,” read the letter outlining specific instructions.  

LG Saxena highlighted concerns based on reports from social media and reliable sources about a sudden rise in illegal immigrants in Delhi. These individuals are reportedly encroaching on public spaces like roads, footpaths, and parks. There are also claims that some are fraudulently acquiring identity documents, such as Aadhaar and Election ID cards, to falsely claim citizenship. "Election Identity Card, if issued to illegal immigrants, provides them the most powerful right of democracy, i.e., the Right to Vote in our country. Giving such rights to illegal immigrants cannot be accepted by any Indian Citizen and such moves can even be detrimental to National security,” said the LG office highlighting the implications. 

The directive further emphasised that all government entities must make sure that the Hon'ble Supreme Court's directives about preventing unauthorized use of public areas are followed.