Immigration Detains 39 Irregular Expatriates in Guraidhoo Raid
Maldives Immigration detained 39 expatriates in an operation targeting irregular foreign residents on the island of K. Guraidhoo as part of a new initiative aimed at identifying and detaining those involved in unauthorised business activities outside the capital.
The raid, which took place on Thursday, involved 20 immigration officers and nine police officers who coordinated across multiple teams. A total of 42 properties were inspected, with checks conducted on 106 expatriates. Among those taken into custody were individuals of Bangladeshi, Sri Lankan, Nepalese, Indian, and Nigerian nationalities, many of whom were reportedly involved in irregular business practices.
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ކ.ގުރައިދޫގައި ކުރިއަށް ގެންދިއަ ހާއްސަ ރެއިޑު އޮޕަރޭޝަންގައި ގަވާއިދާ ހިލާފަށް އުޅެމުންދިއަ 39 ބިދޭސީއަކު ވަނީ އިމިގްރޭޝަންގެ ބެލުމުގެ ދަށަށް ގެނެސްފައި.
އިތުރު ތަފްސީލު: https://t.co/MIccwzUbdb@PoliceMv pic.twitter.com/SumFVwRjev— Maldives Immigration (@ImmigrationMV) October 26, 2024
In addition, 11 expatriates with incomplete visa documentation were issued notices to report to the Immigration headquarters, while five Maldivian employers received formal reprimands.
Controller General of Immigration Mohamed Shamaan Waheed, who travelled to Guraidhoo to oversee the operation, stated that expanding raids to atolls was necessary after reports indicated that many irregular expatriates had been relocating from the capital, Male’, to avoid detainment in recent city-wide operations.
These joint immigration and police raids form part of an ongoing effort to address irregular businesses run by expatriates. Since the beginning of the initiative, over 4,000 individuals have been deported. Shamaan has indicated that the number of deportations is expected to surpass 5,000 by November.
