Over 159,000 undocumented migrants detained since 2025

KUALA LUMPUR: The Immigration Department detained 159,232 undocumented migrants for various offences in 53,318 operations nationwide between 2025 and August this year.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said 659,191 migrants were screened during the operations.

Offences included not possessing valid passes or permits, overstaying and violating permit conditions.

"The Immigration Department also took action against 6,099 employers found to have employed or sheltered undocumented migrants without valid authorisation," he said in a written reply published on the Parliament portal today.

He was responding to Datuk Rosol Wahid (PN-Hulu Terengganu), who asked for the number of foreigners arrested from 2023 to date, by country of origin, type of offence and action taken.

Saifuddin also addressed a question on fraud involving or forgery of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) cards.

He said police Commercial Crime Investigation Department records showed only one case involving forged UNHCR cards, in Kuala Lumpur.

"The case involved six Myanmar nationals, all of whom have been charged in court. It involved foreigners in a commercial crime," he said.