Maldives Authorities Conduct Major Inspection to Curb Illegal Immigration
Maldives Immigration, in collaboration with several government agencies, conducted a mass inspection across Hulhumale’ yesterday as part of an ongoing effort to identify undocumented migrants and address illegal business operations by foreign nationals.
This latest operation is part of the country’s broader initiative to manage its expatriate population. The inspection, covering both Phases I and II of Hulhumale’, involved the Maldives Police Service, the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, the Health Protection Agency (HPA), and the Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA). Teams were deployed to 27 zones, inspecting venues such as cafés, restaurants, retail outlets, and work sites.
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ގަވާއިދާ ހިލާފަށް އުޅޭ ބިދޭސީން ބަލައި ފާސްކުރުމަށް ހުޅުމާލޭގައި މާސް އިންސްޕެކްޝަނެއް ކުރިއަށް ގެންގޮސްފި.
އިތުރު ތަފްސީލް: https://t.co/RbQauUf3ER@min_mohst @ShamaanW @HomeMinistrymv— Maldives Immigration (@ImmigrationMV) September 30, 2024
Officials discovered multiple cases of immigrants working at locations not authorised under their permits. These individuals were issued notices requiring them to report to immigration authorities within a specified period. The operation also sought to identify expatriates evading authorities.
Over the past 10 months, Maldives Immigration has detained and deported over 4,000 undocumented migrants as part of a nationwide effort to control illegal immigration. Speaking about the ongoing crackdown, Mohamed Sham’aan Waheed, Controller General of Maldives Immigration, highlighted the cooperation of Maldivian citizens as a key factor in addressing the issue.
He urged Maldivians to refrain from assisting illegal immigrants, stressing the importance of community responsibility. His remarks were made prior to a significant inspection by the Immigration Department, which aimed to identify and address the presence of illegal foreigners in the country. He called on citizens not to harbour individuals without legal status.
While fines and other penalties are being enforced against undocumented migrants, he reiterated that the primary goal is to regularise, rather than penalise, individuals who have overstayed or violated visa conditions.
The Maldives government aims to resolve the issue of undocumented migrants within three years. In support of this objective, the Home Ministry has launched ‘Operation Kurangi,’ which is collecting biometric data from expatriates to create a comprehensive registry.
This intensified effort to manage illegal immigration reflects the government’s commitment to ensuring that all expatriates in the country are properly documented and working within the legal framework.
