Authorities arrest 22 illegal expats from Social Media info

Maldives Immigration has arrested multiple illegal immigrants during Saturday evening raids.

The authority said it inspected a three-story building in Hulhumale' after a social media post reported the building housed potential illegal immigrants.

Immigration had discovered and subsequently arrested 22 illegal expatriates from their raid at the building.

The authority confirmed the building is associated with a foreigner married to a local woman, and added it was investigating the case now.

Immigration also confirms this is the largest operation in Hulhumale' so far.

The authority said it would not extend additional chances to the expatriates arrested through such operations, to remain in Maldives by legal measures and would be deported immediately.

From November 17, 2023, until July 11, 2024, more than 2,000 expatriates, either because of illegal residence or for operating business illegally, have been deported back to their home countries.