Guwahati: Assam has identified 32,207 illegal foreigners in the state over the past five years, but only 1,416 have been deported, Implementation of Assam Accord Minister Atul Bora told the Assembly on Wednesday.

Responding to a question from Congress MLA Abdur Rahim Ahmed, Bora shared a year-wise breakdown of detections: 6,304 in 2021, 8,790 in 2022, 6,703 in 2023, 6,120 in 2024, and 4,290 so far in 2025.

He reminded the House that only Foreigners Tribunals have the authority to declare an individual a foreigner, and that their orders can be challenged in higher courts.

Bora referred to the 1985 Assam Accord, noting that anyone who entered Assam on or after March 25, 1971, must be identified, removed from electoral rolls, and deported after completing all legal procedures.

On border security, the minister said fencing has been completed along 228.541 km of Assam’s 267.5 km boundary with Bangladesh, covering stretches in Dhubri, South Salmara–Mankachar, Cachar, and Sribhumi districts. Work on a 4.35 km stretch along the Kushiyara River in Sribhumi is still pending due to objections raised by Border Guard Bangladesh.