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.
Between 2025 and August, the Immigration Department in Malaysia arrested over 159,000 undocumented migrants across 53,318 operations nationwide. Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail revealed that 659,191 migrants were screened during these operations. The most common offences included failing to possess valid passes or permits, overstaying, and violating permit conditions.
Saifuddin also addressed the employment or sheltering of undocumented migrants by 6,099 employers, who were found to be operating without valid authorization. Responding to a parliamentary query, he clarified that only one case of forged United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) cards was recorded, involving six Myanmar nationals who have since been charged in court.
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