MUAR: The Johor Immigration Department detained 19 illegal immigrants for failing to produce valid permits during a raid on 10 premises here on Friday (Nov 8).
The 12-hour operation targeted business owners suspected of hiring foreigners without valid permits or employing those who had overstayed in the country.
State Immigration Director Datuk Mohd Rusdi Mohd Darus said those detained during the operations, aged between 23 and 50, included three women.
They are suspected of violating multiple immigration laws by working without valid permits, overstaying, and breaching conditions of their social visit passes.
Rusdi said the department will intensify enforcement efforts in Johor, focusing on identified hotspot areas and businesses suspected of employing undocumented foreign workers.
He also encouraged eligible undocumented workers to participate in the Migrant Repatriation Programme for safe repatriation.