THE Ministry of Home Affairs (KDN) has confirmed that it does not intend to adopt the United States' approach of deporting illegal immigrants as a means to tackle the rising number of foreigners in the country.
Instead, the ministry is focused on strengthening its existing procedures and enforcement efforts to manage and regulate the presence of undocumented individuals.
Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Datuk Seri Shamsul Anuar Nasarah said Malaysia is continually refining its immigration control measures, with a particular focus on improving systems before immigrants even enter the country.
He stressed that technology is being utilized to monitor and manage immigration checkpoints, alongside heightened enforcement operations targeting illegal immigrants already within the nation’s borders.
"We are constantly enhancing the way we control and enforce immigration laws, especially through pre-entry controls and technological tools at entry points," Shamsul Anuar explained. "Furthermore, we are actively conducting operations to monitor and manage the presence of illegal immigrants within Malaysia."
The deputy minister’s comments came in response to a question raised by Senator Azahar Hassan during a question-and-answer session at the Dewan Negara today.
Azahar had inquired whether the ministry was considering following the United States' policy of deporting illegal immigrants as a way to address the growing issue of foreign nationals living in the country without proper documentation.
When asked for further details on enforcement actions, Shamsul Anuar provided statistics on the number of illegal immigrants detained and deported so far this year.
Between January 1 and March 10, 2025, the Immigration Department conducted 2,679 enforcement operations that led to the arrest of 9,904 illegal immigrants.
These arrests involved individuals from various countries, along with 348 employers charged with immigration-related offences under the Immigration Act of 1959/63 and related regulations.
In terms of deportations, Shamsul Anuar reported that up to March 9, 2025, a total of 9,199 individuals had been deported from Malaysia.
The Ministry of Home Affairs continues to focus on a comprehensive strategy to regulate immigration, combining both preventive measures and active enforcement to manage the situation effectively.
The approach differs from the more stringent deportation policies seen in other countries, such as the United States, and remains aligned with Malaysia's broader immigration management framework. – March 12, 2025
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