Maldives Immigration has taken 254 undocumented expatriates into custody as part of an intensified special operation to address illegal migration within the country. Authorities have confirmed that this initiative will be expanded into a large-scale inspection program across the Maldives.

In collaboration with the Maldives Police Service, Immigration officers are currently conducting late-night patrols to intercept foreign nationals and verify their legal documentation. This enforcement drive runs alongside a government-led biometric registration program, which has successfully cataloged the data of over 18,000 expatriates to date.

The crackdown follows the recent conviction of a high-profile individual linked to a significant illegal expatriate network. However, public interest has been piqued by reports that the court-mandated sentence for the individual was notably lenient compared to the severity of the crimes established.