Over 6,700 Migrants Found in Violation of Immigration Laws, Immigration Reveals

The government has expanded its nationwide crackdown on undocumented migrant workers, extending enforcement efforts beyond the capital to densely populated outer regions.

According to Maldives Immigration, more than 6,700 foreign nationals found to be in violation of immigration laws have been deported under the sweeping initiative.

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The agency, which oversees migrant worker affairs, stated that the campaign seeks not only to address unlawful residency but also to protect public health, strengthen national security, and respond to foreign nationals involved in criminal activity.

Originally launched in Malé, the operation now targets major population centres across the atolls, where officials have identified a higher concentration of undocumented migrants. In Addu City, one of the country’s most populous localities, authorities recently detained 83 undocumented foreign nationals, who are currently held in immigration custody. Officials indicated that similar enforcement actions would continue throughout the year in order to sustain momentum.

The government’s escalation follows widespread public concern about the growing visibility of undocumented foreign labour across critical sectors, including construction, tourism, and fisheries. Migrants have also become increasingly involved in informal economic activities, such as food sales in local markets, domestic work, small-scale business operations, and unregulated foreign exchange trading.

Officials have pointed to a recent rise in serious criminal offences involving foreign nationals as a key driver of the heightened urgency. Authorities cited cases of drug trafficking, prostitution, and assault as emerging threats that the campaign is intended to address.

Government representatives maintain that the current operation is the most comprehensive effort yet undertaken to tackle the long-standing issue of undocumented migrant workers. In coordination with Maldives Immigration and other state agencies, officials report tangible results from the initiative. The strategy also involves establishing a formal framework for managing foreign national affairs, aimed at improving identification and enforcement measures going forward.