The Maldives government has expanded its nationwide campaign, Operation Kurangi, aimed at curbing illegal immigration across the island nation. As part of Operation Kurangi, a program launched in May by the Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology to regularize undocumented expatriates, biometric data was collected on more than 8,000 individuals, editing reports.

In May, that figure was just over 700, according to Moreand in October this figure rose to more than 4,000, Maldives Matters Reports.

This responds to growing concerns about unregulated migration flows and their socio-economic impact on local communities. As part of this initiative, local councils in the Maldives have been provided with the necessary tools and training to identify undocumented migrants.

With this in mind, Maldives has also introduced advanced biometric technology into its national identification system. Thanks to a partnership with Smart Identity MantraTHE Maldives secured Mantra biometric fingerprint scanners to streamline identity verification processes. This technology will enhance Operation Kurangi efforts by providing local councils with the capacity to verify the identity of individuals. As a result, authorities aim to deter illegal immigration and improve regulatory oversight in isolated communities where oversight was previously difficult.

According to Corporate MaldivesInternal Security and Technology Minister Ali Ihusaan highlights the role of local councils in identifying illegal migrants and set a three-year deadline to tackle the problem. Councils have been trained in the use of identification methods and are supported by law enforcement to ensure that only people with legal status can access certain services.

With the recent acquisition of biometric fingerprint scanners, Maldives joins other countries in adopting biometric technology for identity management. The addition of this technology aligns with global trends in identity verification, with a focus on data security and accuracy across public and private sector operations.

Since its launch, Operation Kurangi has led to the identification and expulsion of hundreds of undocumented migrants. The ongoing expansion is expected to further increase detection rates, allowing local authorities to enforce regulations more comprehensively across all islands.

Article topics

biometric data | biometric identifiers | biometrics | data collection | immigration | Maldives