Maldives Immigration has yesterday detained 32 expatriates in Thilafushi for living and working illegally in the country.
In a social media post today, Immigration said that their teams had conducted a special raid operation in Thilafushi yesterday targeting undocumented expatriates.
Through this operation, 836 expatriates were questioned, from which 32 were identified as being undocumented. These individuals were then detained, Immigration said.
The 32 individuals who were detained are rom India, Bangladesh and Nepal.
The operation was carried out in the industrial area, commercial area and transport hubs of Thilafushi, including the ferry terminal and STELCO T-jetty.
Reasons for which the individuals were detained include:
- Expired visas
- Working in places other than for which they hold permits
- Conducting private businesses outside the boundaries of the visa granted
- Failure to pay work permit fees
- Being an individual who has been reported for having fled their approved work site
- Suspicion of conducting illegal businesses in Thilafushi
Under similar operations, Immigration detained 254 expatriates in May as well.
Under the government's mass legalization program, authorities are providing the opportunity for undocumented expatriates to comply with laws and regulations and obtain proper status.
