Department of Immigration and Emigration proposes the establishment of a Detention Center for the foreigners who violate their stay permit in Maldives, especially expatriates. There is a concern for the increasing number of foreign workers who are working illegally in Maldives. According to the Controller Ibrahim Shafiu, the main purpose is to establish a controlled environment to ensure the safe return of the illegal immigrant to their respective countries. Though there are deliberate offenders, some of them are victim of circumstances who should be given a temporary custody to ensure their safe return home. The Controller also stressed on the point that since the Immigration Act 1/2007 came into force, it has become mandatory by law to address the issue of illegal immigrants as quickly as possible.
