State Minister at the Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology Abdul Majeed Ibrahim says the Ministry has collected the biometric data of more than 18,000 expatriates.
Operation Karangi was launched on May 2 this year as part of the first phase of the efforts to find a permanent solution to the problem of illegal foreigners.
The Home Ministry said the purpose of the first phase of the operation is to ensure that all foreigners in the Maldives work within the rules.
Abdul Majeed said so far the Ministry has collected the biometric data of 18, 919 expatriates. He also said that the Ministry has carried out the operation in 194 islands in the country and in 50 islands the operation has been completed.
The Home Ministry said the information required for the operation will be collected by setting up biometrics of foreigners in council offices. The ministry has already said that a main register of foreigners will be compiled in light of the information.
It said after the first phase, biometric identification of illegal immigrants without official documents will be made and they will be deported in collaboration with the embassies of the countries.
