Immigration Detains Four Expatriates in Crackdown on Undocumented Workers

Maldives Immigration has detained four expatriates from a large-scale food preparation business as part of an ongoing operation to identify and address undocumented expatriates living in the Maldives.

The detentions followed information received through Immigration Watch, a platform for reporting undocumented expatriates. This information led authorities to a location where food was being prepared and delivered.

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Following a search of the premises, four expatriates were detained. Photos released by Immigration show the food preparation area to be unsanitary, with no measures in place to ensure cleanliness. The images reveal rice being cooked in large pots, then packed into plastic bags and piled on a surface, with the premises appearing disorganised and items unclean.

https://x.com/ImmigrationMV/status/1820476522219868353

In the past seven months, a total of 2,013 undocumented expatriates have been deported, according to Immigration. The agency has decided not to permit those detained under these conditions to enter the legal framework.

Authorities have recently intensified their crackdown on undocumented expatriates and those engaged in illegal activities, including operating small businesses, running stalls at local markets, and working in spas that serve as fronts for prostitution.

Immigration has stated that it will continue to investigate businesses run by undocumented expatriates and ensure compliance with the law. The operation will continue until these objectives are achieved, the agency said.