Maldives Immigration detained 20 undocumented expatriates during an operation conducted in the Hulhumale' Rashu Market area on Tuesday.

The operation was carried out as part of ongoing efforts to identify and remove foreigners working in the Maldives without valid documentation. 

Immigration said that after the launch of Operation Kurangi in May 2024 to collect biometric data from foreign workers, authorities provided opportunities for expatriates to regularize their employment status in accordance with Maldivian laws and regulations.

Since then, efforts have focused on identifying and deporting undocumented workers.

During Tuesday's operation, officers inspected 55 expatriate workers in the Rashu Market area and took 20 undocumented immigrants into custody.

The government has been conducting special operations across the country to address the issue of illegal expatriates engaging in business activities without proper documentation.

According to the latest figures released by Immigration, 191,723 foreign workers have had their fingerprints and photographs recorded, and their information has been updated in the national database.

From 17 November 2023 to 13 June 2026, a total of 12,552 undocumented immigrants were deported.

The Ministry of Homeland Security said the deportations included people found to be residing or working illegally in the Maldives, as well as individuals with incomplete or invalid documentation, citing Immigration statistics.