In a significant stride towards addressing illegal expatriates and empowering women, female officers of Maldives Immigration conducted their first-ever raid operations on May 25, 2024. This historic initiative aligns with the vision of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, underscoring his commitment to tackling illegal immigration and promoting gender equality within law enforcement.

The groundbreaking operations, led by female officers under the directive of Controller General Mohamed Shamaan Waheed, took place in multiple locations across Male’ and Hulhumale’. This marks a pivotal moment in the history of Maldives Immigration, reflecting a progressive shift in operational dynamics.

A total of 14 locations were inspected, with eight sites in Male’ and six in Hulhumale’. As a result of these inspections, 15 female expatriates who did not meet immigration regulations were detained for further interrogation.

In this governance, addressing the issue of illegal expatriates falls under the Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology. A task force, known as the ‘National Task Force on Combating Illegal Expatriate Operations,’ has been established to tackle this issue comprehensively. To date, the task force has conducted 33 operations, identifying, and repatriating more than 1,700 undocumented expatriates.

This initiative represents Maldives Immigration’s ongoing efforts to address the issue of undocumented expatriates promptly and effectively. By empowering female officers to take on leadership roles in these operations, the department not only enhances its operational capabilities but also sets a powerful example of gender inclusivity and equality in the workplace.