Maldives Immigration has detained 16 undocumented migrants following inspections of four locations in the Maafannu district of Malé. The operation, conducted on Tuesday, aimed to address overcrowded housing conditions for migrants and uncover illegal business activities.

In a post on social media platform X, Immigration officials reported that during the raid, they found various food items being prepared for sale at some locations, often in violation of hygiene standards.

The presence of undocumented migrants running businesses has raised significant concerns, particularly given the high expatriate population in the Maldives and their involvement in various industries. The government has emphasized the need to tackle illegal immigration and business practices, which pose risks to public safety and health.

To combat this issue, Maldives Immigration is working in collaboration with the Police and other relevant authorities to conduct regular raids and identify undocumented migrants for deportation. This initiative is part of a broader effort to address the longstanding challenges posed by illegal immigration in the country.