Special op targets crowded and unsafe expat accommodations in Male’

Maldives Immigration launched a special operation on Tuesday, targeting irregular expatriates living in crowded accommodations in the Male’ area.

According to the agency, it raided three such residences in Male’ City on Tuesday, during which it detained 13 irregular expatriates.

Immigration said that the operation targets overcrowded accommodations and ones that pose a threat to public safety.

އާންމު ސަލާމަތާއި ރައްކާތެރިކަމަށް ބެލުމެއް ނެތި، ގަވާއިދާ ހިލާފަށް މާލެ ސަރަހައްދުގައި ދިރިއުޅެމުން އަންނަ ބިދޭސީންނަށް އަމާޒުކޮށް ހާއްސަ އޮޕަރޭޝަނެއް ވަނީ މިއަދު ފަށާފައި.

އެގޮތުން، މާލޭގެ 03 ގެއެއް ބަލައި ފާސްކޮށް ގަވާއިދާ ހިލާފަށް އުޅޭ 13 ބިދޭސީއެއް އިމިގްރޭޝަންގެ ބެލުމުގެ… pic.twitter.com/dJDAdDb7fU

— Maldives Immigration (@ImmigrationMV) September 10, 2024

The agency warned it will take action against landowners who rent such accommodations to irregular expatriates.

It added that the special operation will cover all accommodations in Male’ area that house irregular expatriates.

The purpose of this special operation is to provide a quick remedy to the longstanding issue of illegal immigration in the Maldives, said the agency.

Immigration has previously said it hopes to provide a permanent solution to the issue within the next two to three years.