Immigration Detains 22 Expats in Raids

Maldives Immigration has detained 22 expatriates working illegally in Male’ City during weekend raids.

The operation, aimed at addressing illegal immigration, was carried out in collaboration with the police. According to a post on X, Immigration conducted two separate raids yesterday.

advertisement

https://x.com/ImmigrationMV/status/1825008279669645549

The first raid occurred in the morning at the Heenaamaage Parking Zone in the Galolhu district, following a report submitted through the ‘Immigration Watch’ portal. During this raid, 14 expatriates were detained for lacking work permits.

The second raid, conducted in response to a report from the Male’ City Council, took place at an accommodation block in the Maafannu district. Eight expatriates found living illegally in the Maldives were detained during this operation.

Illegal immigration has been a persistent challenge for the Maldives. Home Minister Ali Ihusan announced in April that the government aims to resolve the issue within three years.

The Home Ministry’s initiative, ‘Operation Kurangi’, which began in May, involves collecting biometric data from all expatriate workers. Ihusan stated that this is the first phase of the operation, expected to conclude within a year. The data will be used to regularise undocumented expatriates.