| Supplemental Info:
Fierce protests have been taking place across India following passage of a new Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) giving special treatment to Hindu and other non-Muslim migrants in the Asian nation.
Violent protests involving tens of thousands have broken out in a Muslim-dominated part of the Indian capital Delhi, as well as Mumbai, Chennaic, Varanasi, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Bhopal, Patna and Pondicherry.
At least two dozen people have died during the protests.
Specifically:
CAA offers amnesty to non-Muslim illegal immigrants from three neighboring Muslim-majority countries.
CAA amends India's 64-year-old citizenship law, which currently prohibits illegal migrants from becoming Indian citizens.
CAA expedites the path to Indian citizenship for members of six religious minority communities - Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian - if they can prove that they are from Pakistan, Afghanistan or Bangladesh. They will now only have to live or work in India for six years - instead of 11 years - before becoming eligible to apply for citizenship.
CAA also says people holding Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards - an immigration status permitting a foreign citizen of Indian origin to live and work in India indefinitely - can lose their status if they violate local laws for both major and minor offences and violations.
Opponents say the law is exclusionary and part of an agenda to marginalize Muslims. ________________
Security Alert – Demonstration Alert for U.S. Citizens
Location: IndiaEvent: U.S. citizens in India should exercise caution in light of continued protests throughout the country in response to the approval of the Citizenship Amendment Act and avoid all areas with demonstrations. It is important that you monitor local media outlets for updates on demonstrations, road and mass transit closures, curfews, and possible impact on air travel. Intermittent internet and mobile phone service outages are also possible. The government-imposed law that prohibits political gatherings of four or more people – known as Section 144 – remains in effect in certain areas. Indian press reports there are plans for a “Million Man March” demonstration in Hyderabad over the weekend of December 28-29; local authorities have not yet approved the march or agreed to a specific time or location. U.S. citizens traveling abroad should regularly monitor the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs website, where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and Country Specific Information can be found. The U.S. embassy also encourages U.S. citizens to review the “Traveler’s Checklist,” which includes valuable security information for those living and traveling abroad. Actions to Take:- Avoid areas with demonstrations and civil disturbances.
- Keep a low profile.
- Be aware of your surroundings.
- Monitor local media for updates.
- Review your personal security plans.
- Notify friends and family of your safety.
- Follow the instructions of local authorities.
Enroll in the Smart Travelers Enrollment Program (STEP). Assistance:- U.S. Consulate General Mumbai (Bombay)
Located at C-49, G-Block
Bandra Kurla Complex, Bandra East, Mumbai 400051
+91-22-2672-4000
Email: mumbaiacs@state.gov
- U.S. Consulate General Chennai (Madras)
Located at 220 Anna Salai, Gemini Circle, 600006
+91-44-2857-4000
Email: chennaics@state.gov
- U.S. Consulate General Kolkata (Calcutta)
Located at 5/1 Ho Chi Minh Sarani, 700071
+91-33-3984-2400
Email: KolkataACS@state.gov
- U.S. Consulate General Hyderabad
Located at Paigah Palace, 1-8-323, Chiran Fort Lane,
Begumpet, Secunderabad 500 003
+91 (40) 4033-8300
Email: hydacs@state.gov
- U.S. Department of State – Consular Affairs
+1 888-407-4747 or +1 202-501-4444
- India Country Information
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