Iran Moves Toward New Migration Authority Law

DID Press: Iran’s parliament completed expert reviews of a 17-article bill regulating foreign nationals, with the proposal set to be examined next week by a joint commission on establishing a National Migration Organization before being forwarded to the Guardian Council for final approval.

Abolfazl Abutorabi, lawmaker for Najafabad and Tiran and a member of the joint commission, said technical assessments of the bill have concluded and that the commission will take it up on Monday.

The bill is being reviewed under Article 85 of Iran’s constitution, meaning that if approved by the commission it will not require a full parliamentary vote and will be sent directly to the Guardian Council. Once endorsed, the measure will become law and be communicated to executive, judicial, military, and security bodies for implementation.

Under the proposal, the National Migration Organization would serve as the central authority for managing migration affairs, including inter-agency coordination, combating irregular migration, issuing identification cards to foreign nationals, drafting a national migration strategy, and establishing a comprehensive migrant registration system.

The bill also assigns the body responsibility for engagement with international organizations, management of migrant settlements and monitoring camps, and regulation of service provision to foreign nationals.