Immigration Detains Eight Expats in Hulhumale’ Coffeeshop Raid

The Maldives Immigration Service, in collaboration with the police, detained eight expatriates during a raid on takeaway coffeeshops in Hulhumale’ on Friday. 

This operation, part of ongoing efforts to curb illegal expatriate activities, targeted individuals suspected of unlawfully operating businesses.

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In a statement released on Saturday, the Immigration Service confirmed the arrests without specifying the nationalities of those detained. The Home Ministry has been actively addressing the issue of illegal migration through various initiatives, including the establishment of a national taskforce.

Earlier this week, the Economic Ministry identified 25 sectors where expatriates are prohibited from working, which includes food and beverage sales, taxi services, and online businesses. The government’s ‘Operation Kurangi’ aims to tackle illegal migration by collecting biometric data from over 1,500 migrants thus far.

Speaking on a recent public forum, Home Minister Ali Ihusan outlined plans to resolve the issue within three years, emphasizing a phased approach to regularize undocumented migrants rather than simply deporting them. He highlighted opportunities for regularization under the ongoing operations, stressing the government’s intention to facilitate compliance rather than punitive measures.

Senior Immigration Officer Ismail Shareef further elaborated that detained expatriates may have the chance to regularize their status, particularly through legitimate employment channels facilitated by the regularization programme.

The crackdown underscores ongoing efforts to manage expatriate labour effectively, ensuring compliance with immigration laws and fostering a regulated workforce in the Maldives.