Iran’s Parliament Advances Draft Bill to Establish National Immigration Organization
Iranian lawmakers have announced that the final review of the draft bill to establish a ‘National Immigration Organization’ will be completed within the next month and a half. The bill aims to define the structure, responsibilities, and jurisdiction of the new organization, which will manage affairs related to immigrants and foreign nationals residing in Iran.
Mohammad Seraj, a member of the joint parliamentary committee reviewing the bill, stated that the review process has been transferred from the public session of parliament to a joint committee composed of members from five specialized parliamentary committees. He added that three sessions have been held so far, during which seven articles of the draft have been reviewed.
According to the bill, issues such as determining the place of residence, identifying the basic needs of immigrants—including Afghan nationals—their type of residency, and the organization of refugees will fall under the legal jurisdiction of the National Immigration Organization. The new agency is intended to coordinate between executive bodies in dealing with immigrants.
Seraj emphasized that the bill does not address citizenship issues but instead seeks to create order among different institutions and clarify their responsibilities. He noted that all proposals from lawmakers and expert opinions from institutions like the Parliament Research Center and the Islamic Research Center have been incorporated into the draft.
The bill is being pursued as Afghan migrants in Iran continue to face serious challenges in areas such as residency, healthcare, education, and employment. While Iranian officials stress organization and administrative discipline, questions remain unanswered regarding the protection of human rights and the living conditions of migrants.
The Taliban administration, which does not play a direct role in determining the fate of Afghan migrants, has yet to comment on the legislation. Meanwhile, Afghan migrants in Iran continue to suffer from a lack of effective diplomatic support.
