The government conducted 10,374 enforcement operations against illegal migrants nationwide from Jan 1 to Sept 29 this year, resulting in 37,313 arrests, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said.
He said 137,603 individuals were inspected during raids and field operations carried out by the Home Ministry (KDN) and Immigration Department (JIM) over the period.
The operations also targeted employers involved in hiring or protecting illegal migrants, with 1,809 employers arrested for related offences. Of these, 1,692 were Malaysian citizens.
Saifuddin said enforcement efforts must extend beyond illegal migrants to those who employ, protect or profit from their presence. The number of employers arrested rose from 346 in 2023 to 1,859 in 2024 and 2,202 in 2025.
He also reminded foreign nationals entering Malaysia for work or visits to comply with immigration laws, including avoiding offences such as trespassing, document forgery and overstaying.
Saifuddin said the issue of illegal migration also had implications for the country’s economy, security and social order, adding that KDN and JIM would continue conducting nationwide enforcement operations.
