National Assembly Passes Immigration Amendment Bill

The National Assembly has approved the Immigration Amendment Bill, eight years after the Constitutional Court instructed Parliament to fix gaps in the Immigration Act.

The new law introduces measures to ensure that people detained under immigration rules are treated fairly, particularly women and children. It requires that anyone detained must appear in court within 48 hours and cannot be held for more than 30 days.

Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber explained that the bill will pave the way for new regulations to make deportations faster and more predictable. The changes are also expected to reduce unnecessary delays, limit legal challenges, and strengthen immigration enforcement.

The bill is part of broader reforms, with a draft White Paper on Citizenship, Immigration and Refugee Protection expected to be released soon for public comment.

However, not everyone is in support. The MK Party criticised the Department of Home Affairs for only acting after court pressure, while ActionSA rejected the bill and called for an urgent review of the country’s migration policy.

The bill will now go to the National Council of Provinces for concurrence before it can become law.