Maldives Immigration has detained 20 undocumented expatriates during an enforcement operation carried out at Hulhumalé Rashu Market as part of the government's ongoing campaign against illegal employment and unauthorized residency.

According to Immigration, officers inspected 55 expatriates during the operation.

Twenty individuals were found to be in violation of immigration regulations and were taken into custody for further action.

The raid forms part of a wider national effort to identify undocumented expatriates, verify employment status, and ensure compliance with immigration laws.

Authorities said work is continuing to validate work permits and strengthen oversight of the foreign workforce.

Immigration statistics show that more than 208,937 expatriates are currently employed in the Maldives with valid work permits.

In addition, biometric registration efforts have surpassed 200,000 individuals, with authorities collecting ten-fingerprint records and biometric photographs as part of the verification process.

To support enforcement efforts, Maldives Immigration has introduced an online reporting platform known as Immigration Watch, allowing members of the public to report suspected cases of undocumented expatriates living or working in the country unlawfully.

The government has also begun deportation procedures for expatriates found to be residing in the Maldives without legal authorization as part of its broader initiative to strengthen immigration enforcement and maintain compliance with national regulations.