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Expats fleeing to Kulhudhuffushi to evade Immigration detained, given notice

Yesterday, a vessel that arrived in Kulhudhuffushi was searched, and nine expatriates on board were found without valid documentation. They were issued notices and were told to appear before Kulhudhuffushi Immigration.

Malika Shahid
02 September 2024, MVT 11:28
Immigration gives notice to appear to expatriates found fleeing authorities in Kulhudhuffushi -- Photo: Immigration
Malika Shahid
02 September 2024, MVT 11:28

Maldives Immigration has detained a group of expatriates in Haa Dhaalu atoll Kulhudhuffushi who fled there to avoid an ongoing operation targeting undocumented expatriates living in the Maldives.

The operation, part of Immigration's broader efforts to resolve the issue of undocumented workers, led to the detention of nine expatriates who arrived in Kulhudhuffushi yesterday.

Kulhudhuffushi City Council has sought assistance from both Immigration and the police to prevent further undocumented expatriates from entering the island.

Immigration said that many undocumented expatriates have been leaving the capital, Malé, to avoid detection, traveling to various islands.

Yesterday, a vessel that arrived in Kulhudhuffushi was searched, and nine expatriates on board were found without valid documentation. They were issued notices and were told to appear before Kulhudhuffushi Immigration.

The vessel's captain had received a written warning not to transport undocumented individuals.

Kulhudhuffushi City Council said that the island's easy transportation system has made it a destination for those seeking to evade authorities.

As a result, the number of expatriates arriving on the island has increased since Immigration's crackdown. In response to the rising number of undocumented expatriates fleeing to other islands, Immigration has decided to expand its operation to islands beyond Male'.

A significant number of expatriates deported during the current operations include those involved in illegal business activities and those with incomplete documentation. The deportations over the past nine months have also targeted individuals involved in large-scale prostitution rings.

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