Male' Mayor and Immigration Controller Discuss Joint Operations to Address Illegal Migrants

Male' City Mayor Adam Azim held a meeting with Mohamed Shamaan Waheed, the Controller General of Immigration, to discuss ongoing efforts to address the issue of illegal immigrants in the Malé region. The meeting, announced through a post on X (formerly Twitter) by the Maldives Immigration, focused on strengthening cooperation between the city’s administration and immigration authorities.

The discussions centered on strategies to support ongoing operations aimed at identifying and deporting foreigners who are working or conducting business in the Maldives without proper authorization. This meeting marks a significant step towards a more coordinated approach to tackling the challenge of illegal migration in the country’s capital.

As part of these efforts, the Maldives Immigration and the police have been conducting joint operations to locate and detain illegal immigrants. Over 150 foreign nationals have been apprehended during these operations, and none of those detained will be given a second chance to regularize their status. "We are coordinating with the relevant authorities to deport these migrants," said the Immigration's statement.

To facilitate public involvement, the Immigration has also introduced the "Immigration Watch" web portal, allowing citizens to report illegal migrants. This initiative is part of a broader government effort to tighten immigration control and ensure compliance with the nation’s labor and business regulations.

The collaboration between the Male' City Council and the Immigration Department is expected to play a crucial role in addressing the complexities of illegal immigration, which has become a pressing issue in the Maldives.