The government has started detaining and deporting illegal immigrants involved in businesses as part of its efforts to create job opportunities for Maldivians, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has announced.
In his address on International Workers' Day, Muizzu said such foreigners would be deported within 48 hours of detention and that the issue of illegal immigrants can only be solved by enforcing laws.
"Such issues that have been ignored for many years can only be solved with long-term, continuous monitoring and law enforcement," he said.
However, during the public forum Ahaa (Ask) on Monday, Home Minister Ihusan Ali talked about plans to give opportunities to illegal immigrants before deciding to deport them.
Replying to a question at the forum, Ihusan said foreigners who have repeatedly violated the rules would also be allowed to come back into the system and those who refuse to take advantage of the opportunity will be deported.
Although illegal immigrants will be given further opportunities, those who cannot be identified will be taken into custody immediately, he said. The work of verifying their identities will be conducted in collaboration with the embassies, he added.
The regularization program to collect details of foreign workers is set to begin on Thursday. Ihusan said the program would be completed within one year.
