The administration has expanded Operation Kurangi nationwide and launched the second phase of the program. Minister of Homeland Security and Technology Ali Ihusan states that the local councils will be given direct access to the applications developed for the second phase of the operation.
To tackle the issue of illegal immigrants in the country, Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology, in collaboration with the Maldives Police Service and the Maldives Immigration, launched the Operation Kurangi in May. The pilot programme of the operation was conducted in Himmafushi Island of Kaafu Atoll.
With the launch of the second phase of the operation, councils were given fingerprint machines, which will be used to identify the expatriates living in the islands. Furthermore, with direct access to the applications developed for the operation, the councils can upload pictures of the expatriates to identify them; his occupation and which company he is employed at.
Additionally, Minister Ihusan noted that the aim is finding a permanent solution to the issue of illegal immigrants within three years; by ensuring they are in the country legally and regularizing them. As such, he notes that the administration aims to identify the illegal immigrants within one year and add them into the system within the next two years. The programme also includes finding them employers.