The long-standing issue of undocumented expatriates living in the Maldives will be resolved by May next year, Home Minister Ali Ihusan stated last night.

Speaking at the "Ahaa" forum, which provides an opportunity to question ministers, Minister Ihusan stated that when this government assumed power, the issue of illegal expatriates was not taken seriously by previous administrations. However, he noted that this government has undertaken numerous efforts to resolve the issue thus far.

In that regard, the minister highlighted the commencement of "Operation Kurangi" and the initiation of collecting expatriates' biometrics.

Ihusan stated that upon taking office, there were 295,000 recorded expatriates in the Maldives. Among them, only 22,000 had their fingerprints taken with their identities verified, he noted.

However, the minister highlighted that through the efforts of this government, 260,000 individuals have been verified and had their biometrics collected. He also stated that only one percent of expatriates in the Maldives currently remain without their biometrics taken.

The minister pointed out that the only countries in the entire world currently where one percent of the resident expatriate population lacks recorded information are the Maldives, alongside Singapore and the UAE.

Ihusan stated that while the target is to resolve the entire issue by the end of May next year, the second phase of resolving the issue will involve separating those living illegally from those residing lawfully. He added that work will begin to deport individuals engaged in work other than the purpose for which they came.

"By the time this operation is concluded by May next year, the target is for the expatriate population issue to have been resolved to a degree accepted by international standards," the minister stated.