Immigration Detains Expats in Kulhudhuffushi Amid Crackdown
Maldives Immigration has detained a group of expatriates in Kulhudhuffushi, Haa Dhaalu atoll, who had fled there to evade an ongoing operation targeting undocumented expatriates in the Maldives.
The operation, part of Immigration’s broader efforts to address the issue of undocumented workers, resulted in the detention of nine expatriates who arrived in Kulhudhuffushi yesterday.
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ގަވާއިދާ ހިލާފަށް އުޅޭ ބިދޭސީން މާލެ ދޫކޮށް ރާއްޖޭގެ އެކި ރަށްރަށަށް ދާކަމުގެ ރިޕޯޓު ލިބެމުންދިއުމާ ގުޅިގެން، މިއަދު ލިބުނު މަޢުލޫމާތަކާއެކު ކުޅުދުއްފުއްޓަށް ދިއަ ބޯޓެއްގައި ތިބި ބިދޭސީން ވަނީ ބަލައި ފާސްކޮށްފައި. މި މަސައްކަތް ކުރިއަށް ގެންގޮސްފައި ވަނީ ކުޅުދުއްފުށީ ސިޓީ… pic.twitter.com/hT6HjgoL9D— Maldives Immigration (@ImmigrationMV) September 1, 2024
Immigration authorities reported that many undocumented expatriates have been leaving the capital, Malé, to avoid detection, relocating to various islands.
Yesterday, a vessel arriving in Kulhudhuffushi was inspected, and nine expatriates on board were found to be without valid documentation.
Additionally, Immigration has shut down a food business operating on a large scale in the Industrial Zone in Hulhumale’ and arrested two undocumented immigrants.
Social media footage from the location, situated near Auto Care Garage in Saimaa Hingun, showed the production of various food items and ongoing dine-ins and deliveries, highlighting unsanitary conditions.
In response to the video, Immigration conducted a strict inspection of the garage, detaining two undocumented expatriates found on the premises.
The Industrial Zone in Hulhumale’ is typically leased to businesses such as workshops and garages, but some foreign nationals have established operations there as well.
Immigration continues to carry out operations to locate illegal expatriates and shut down illegal businesses, including those operating in unsanitary conditions. Recently, the agency reported the deportation of over 3,000 undocumented foreigners involved in such operations.
