Immigration Deports Over 3,000 Expats Since Muizzu Took Office

Maldives Immigration has revealed that 3,322 expatriates have been deported since President Dr Mohamed Muizzu assumed office.

According to Immigration, between 17 November 2023 and 25 August 2024, officials conducted raids at 257 locations associated with expatriates. The deportations included numerous undocumented individuals and those with incomplete documentation, as well as individuals involved in large-scale prostitution rings.

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In addition, some expatriates were detained for preparing food in unsanitary conditions for commercial purposes in Malé City, resulting in the closure of their establishments.This operation is reported to be the largest ever conducted to target expatriates living illegally in the Maldives.

Since the launch of the ‘Immigration Watch’ platform on 17 July 2024, Maldives Immigration has received over 400 reports of unlawful activities by expatriate workers. As of 26 August 2024, the platform had received 473 reports, with 369 currently under investigation and 82 being verified.

The platform, which allows anonymous reporting, has led to multiple raids, including those targeting unsanitary food preparation and packaging operations. Several migrants have been detained during these operations.

Controller General of Immigration Mohamed Shamaan Waheed emphasised that the platform facilitates increased community involvement in addressing illegal migration issues.