Special Operation to Deport Illegal Immigrants within Six Months

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has announced that a specialized operation will be conducted over the next six months to identify and deport the remaining undocumented expatriates, aiming to find a permanent solution to the issue of illegal immigration in the Maldives.

The President shared this update today through a post on the social media platform "X". He stated that biometric data—including ten-fingerprints and clear facial photographs has now been collected for 98 percent of expatriates currently residing in the Maldives on valid work permits. He highlighted this as a significant milestone, reflecting the government's high priority on resolving this issue.

Reflecting on the administration's achievements, President Muizzu noted that when his government took office on November 17, 2023, biometric data had been recorded for only 13 percent of expatriates. He characterized the rapid increase to 98 percent within a short period as a major success in this sector.

As part of these ongoing efforts, Maldives Immigration launched a large-scale operation today to identify undocumented expatriates in the Greater Male' Area. Conducted under the third phase of "Operation Kurangi," this task force operation specifically targets individuals who have evaded biometric registration. A large number of immigration officers participated in the operation, which took place across various locations in Male' from 16:00 to 18:00 today.

"Operation Kurangi" was officially launched on May 2, 2024. The primary objective of the operation is to collect fingerprints, photographs, and comprehensive information of all expatriates in the Maldives within a one-year period, ensuring they are either regularized or repatriated.

President Muizzu further emphasized that the upcoming six months will focus on intensive efforts to locate and deport those residing illegally. This initiative stands as one of the government’s most significant projects aimed at ensuring national security and providing a lasting solution to the challenges posed by illegal immigration.