Immigration Detains Five Illegal Migrants in Special Raid
Photo: Maldives Immigration
The Maldives Immigration apprehended five illegal migrants during a special raid yesterday.
The authority confirmed the operation in a social media post, stating that it was conducted at the ‘Heenaamaage’ parking area, a known gathering spot for expatriates. Several foreigners were inspected during the raid, and five individuals were taken into custody.
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ގަވާއިދާހިލާފަށް އުޅޭ ބިދޭސީން ބަލައި ފާސްކުރުމަށް ކުރިއަށްގެންދާ ރެއިޑު އޮޕަރޭޝަންތަކުގައި ރޭ ވަނީ މާލޭގެ ހީނާމާގޭ ޕާކިންގ ސަރަހައްދުގައި އުޅެމުންދިއަ ބިދޭސީން ބަލައި ފާސްކޮށްފައި. އަދި ގަވާއިދާ ހިލާފަށް އުޅެމުންދިއަ 05 ބިދޭސީން ވަނީ އިމިގްރޭޝަންގެ ބެލުމުގެ ދަށަށް ގެނެވިފައި. pic.twitter.com/MMdKsR73KX— Maldives Immigration (@ImmigrationMV) March 23, 2025
The most recent census data indicates a local population of 382,751 and an expatriate population of 132,371, with a local-to-expatriate ratio of 3:1.
The current administration, which took office in 2023, has pledged to eliminate illegal immigration and address irregular residency within the first three years of its five-year term. As part of this effort, the government has launched a nationwide initiative to collect biometric data from all foreigners residing in the Maldives.
The Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology initiated ‘Operation Kurangi’ to tackle illegal migration. According to the ministry’s latest figures, biometric data from over 100,000 foreigners has been collected in the past 10 months.
