Immigration inspects 21 migrants selling old metals, detains 14

Maldives Immigration has inspected 21 migrants engaged in the trade of old metals and subsequently detailed 14 of them.

The authority, via a post on X, said it conducted a special operation on Sunday where locations related to trade of old metals were inspected.

According to Immigration, they inspected 21 migrants during the operation, of which 14 were detained.

Immigration is currently undertaking efforts to identify and detain migrants in the Maldives engaged in illegal business activities.

Although President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu initially said migrants engaged in illegal business activities in the Maldives would face immediate deportation, Immigration said it would provide such individuals with an additional opportunity to regularize their status.

Notably, Home Ministry is also conducting an operation under the name 'Kurangi', aimed at collecting biometric data of all migrants in the Maldives in a move to remedy the longstanding issue of illegal migration.