Maldives Immigration has detained 32 undocumented migrants during a raid operation carried out in Thilafushi yesterday under its Migration Monitoring and Compliance Programme (MMCP).

Immigration said officers inspected 836 foreign nationals during the operation and verified their documents. The 32 individuals found to be residing or working in violation of immigration regulations were taken into Immigration custody.

The operation forms part of the Government's ongoing efforts, together with Maldives Immigration, to address the issue of undocumented migrants in the Maldives through several enforcement programmes.

As part of Operation Kurangi, launched to collect and verify the details of foreign nationals, information on more than 202,000 migrants has been compiled to date. The Government has also announced that from next year, any foreign national found residing or working illegally in the Maldives will be deported without being granted an additional opportunity to regularise their status.

The wider initiative to establish a long-term solution to undocumented migration is scheduled to continue over the next six months.

Under the third phase of Operation Kurangi, authorities will identify and deport 2,895 undocumented migrants. The phase will also target businesses operating in violation of immigration laws, as well as foreign nationals without valid work permits or visas.

Immigration said employers will be encouraged to settle outstanding work permit fees before they become overdue. The current phase will also introduce measures to make it easier for employers to pay work permit fees, including those with outstanding payments.

The Government said these measures are expected to encourage Maldivian businesses to ensure that the foreign workers they employ comply with immigration regulations and work legally in the Maldives.