Maldives Immigration has carried out a special operation to identify and detain immigrants residing in the country without valid documentation. 

As part of this initiative, an operation was conducted in Kaafu Huraa yesterday, leading to the detention of 46 individuals found to be without proper authorisation.

The operation, which took place between 6 a.m. and 5 p.m., is part of a broader effort initiated by the Government to address issues related to undocumented migration. Similar initiatives are being conducted across the Malé region and various atolls to regulate residency status.

The recent measures have also led to instances of migrants attempting to leave certain areas. On January 20, a group of 60 expatriates relocated to The Emerald Resort in Raa atoll before heading to Raa Maduvvari. Of those, 19 were located and returned to the resort with the assistance of local council members, while the remaining 41 were identified and sent back to the resort today.

Since the beginning of the current Administration, efforts to regulate migration have led to the identification and repatriation of 5,000 foreign nationals. Authorities have also noted that some individuals without documentation have been linked to criminal activities.

To further strengthen migration management, the Government has implemented measures to collect biometric data on migrant workers, aiming to enhance documentation and regulatory oversight.