Maldives Immigration has detained 16 expatriates who were found working illegally at six cafes in Hulhumale'.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, the immigration authority confirmed that the foreign workers were detained the same day. Additionally, notices will be issued to three of the cafes operating without the required permissions, where the detained workers had been employed.

Immigration officials also revealed that over 4,000 foreign nationals have been deported in the past decade for violating immigration rules. Between November 17 2023, and May 17 this year, a total of 4,054 migrants were deported. The highest number of deportations occurred in June, with 690 foreign nationals being sent back, followed by 663 deportations in the first half of this month.

Authorities are intensifying efforts to address the issue of illegal immigrants in the Maldives, aiming to reduce risks to public health and ensure the safety and security of citizens. The department has been conducting raids on migrant workers’ living spaces and locations where food is prepared in unsafe conditions. A special operation is also underway to inspect all areas where foreign nationals reside in the country.