India, Aug. 1 -- The Centre has told the Supreme Court that a foreign national whose nationality remains unverified cannot be deported unless the person's home country confirms their nationality and agrees to accept them.

The submission was made in an affidavit filed by the Ministry of Home Affairs in a petition challenging the indefinite detention of people declared foreigners in Assam despite having no immediate prospect of deportation.

"A foreign national whose nationality is unknown or unverified can be deported to their home country only upon confirmation of their nationality, possession of a valid travel document, or acceptance by the home country concerned. The deportation procedure cannot be initiated without nationality verific...