Home ministry reveals more than 12,000 foreigners have been deported

The Ministry of Homeland Security, Labour and Technology has announced that more than 12,000 undocumented expatriates living illegally in the Maldives have been deported to their home countries.

According to the Ministry, data from Maldives Immigration shows that 12,552 individuals were deported between November 17, 2023, and June 13.

The Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology has announced that the joint operations conducted by the Police and Immigration to address the issue of undocumented expatriates in the Maldives will continue for the next six months.

The Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology has announced that the third phase of "Operation Kurangi" will focus on locating and deporting 2,895 identified expatriates. The operation will also target the apprehension and deportation of foreign nationals conducting illegal business activities in the Maldives, alongside those residing in the country without valid work permits or visas.

Relevant authorities have announced that information on over 202,000 migrants has been collected so far under "Operation Kurangi," an initiative launched by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu's administration to address the issue of undocumented migration in the Maldives. This ongoing effort aims to establish a comprehensive database that includes the fingerprints and photographs of all foreign nationals residing in the country.

Despite ongoing operations to address the issue of undocumented migrants, public concern is mounting over the increasing number of expatriates operating without oversight. Many citizens have expressed alarm that since President Muizzu’s administration took office, foreign nationals have been increasingly dominating the country's small business sector.