70,195 undocumented migrants detained in 10 months

PETALING JAYA: A total of 70,195 undocumented migrants were detained in 11,808 enforcement operations conducted by the Immigration Department nationwide between Jan 1 and Oct 31.

Immigration director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban said 155,498 people were inspected during the same period, while 328,744 registered under the Migrant Repatriation Programme 2.0.

Of those registered, 243,501 had returned to their home countries through the programme.

"During the same period, 52,585 undocumented migrants were deported after completing the legal and documentation processes," he said.

Zakaria said the department continued to take enforcement action against foreigners who breached immigration regulations, including overstaying, misusing passes or staying in the country without valid documents.

He said operations were targeted at high-risk areas where immigration offences were likely to occur, including residential areas, workplaces, business premises and locations frequented by foreigners.

Monitoring also focused on various methods used to breach immigration regulations, including misuse of pass facilities, the use of premises for accommodation or transit, and the illegal employment of foreigners.s

"Information gathered through surveillance and cooperation with other agencies helps the department identify those suspected of breaching immigration laws and plan enforcement operations," he said.

The department also conducted operations jointly with other enforcement agencies, including the police, National Registration Department and local authorities.S