Maldives to begin deporting expats who miss biometric deadline: President

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has announced that expatriates who fail to submit their biometric data by the end of today will be deported, declaring the deadline final and enforceable from tonight.

Speaking at a large rally organized by the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) at Artificial Beach last night, President Muizzu said addressing issues related to undocumented migrant workers, drugs and gangs had been among his key pledges.

The president said successive governments had failed to resolve the issue of undocumented migrant workers, and that the scale of the problem was unclear until the government rolled out Operation Kurangi; a nationwide initiative to collect biometric data from all expatriates in Maldives.

According to President Muizzu, authorities have now gathered ten fingerprints each from 191,723 expatriates, allowing the state to identify where they are living and working.

“The deadline for obtaining biometrics expires today. After today, not a single expatriate can stay in this country without giving biometrics or details. They will be deported immediately,” he said speaking during the rally.

He added that 9,021 expatriates, including individuals involved in criminal activity, have been deported during the past two years.

The president also highlighted Thursday’s nationwide anti-drug operation, which he said was the largest in Maldivian history, stating that more than 100 people alleged to be drug dealers had been arrested.

President Muizzu said that their trials would be conducted fairly but stressed that the public did not want suspects freed on “minor procedural issues”.

“If the entire state works without any influence, we will eradicate the drug epidemic from this country,” he said.

President Muizzu said newly passed amendments to the Drugs Act would ensure that traffickers receive the harshest punishments under Islamic law.

He also pointed to a 49 percent decline in gang related crimes under his administration, crediting stricter legislation enacted by the government.