24 expatriates detained for illegal business face deportation

Immigration announced today that 24 expatriates were detained in an operation that began yesterday, aimed at cracking down on illegal business ventures.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu spoke to F. Nilandhoo residents on Saturday night, clarifying the situation regarding expatriate workers. The President said that the amount of expatriates in Maldives has increased quite a bit.

Subsequently, illegal businesses run by expatriates have also increased, said the President.

The operation to locate such individuals and deport them has begun from September 21, said President Muizzu.

An Immigration Official stated today that they are working to deport the 24 individuals that were detained. No other details were given.

President Muizzu said that with illegal businesses run by expatriates being shut down, it would open up business opportunities for Maldivians.

In order to find and collect biometrics of expatriates, an operation under the name of "Kurangi" is underway. President Muizzu has said that 178,982 expatriates have been found to live in Maldives in light of the information collected under the operation.

The current administration has deported more than 8,600 illegal immigrants.