Malta Steps Up Immigration Sweeps: 103 Arrested in Eight Days, What Residents Need to Know

Why This Matters

• Immigration enforcement is accelerating: At least 103 undocumented migrants have been arrested across Malta and Gozo since April 1, 2026.

• Gżira residents reported beggars, prompting the police sweep that netted two individuals actively soliciting money alongside 30 others lacking valid residency documents.

• Detention and deportation proceedings have begun: All detainees are now in administrative detention pending repatriation.

The Gżira Operation: What Happened

The Malta Police Force, working alongside detention officers, arrested 32 undocumented individuals in Gżira during early-morning patrols on April 8, 2026. The operation was triggered by local complaints about begging activity.

Police patrols began in the early hours of Tuesday morning after residents flagged an uptick in begging. Working in tandem with detention officers, the Malta Police combed residential and commercial zones in Gżira and identified individuals who could not produce valid residence permits or asylum documentation.

By mid-morning, 32 people had been taken into custody. Among them, two were caught in the act of begging for cash. The remaining 30 were flagged for immigration violations—living on the island without necessary permits or overstaying tourist or work visas.

All 32 are now housed in one of Malta's three main detention facilities: the Ħal Far Initial Reception Centre, Safi Barracks, or the police custody space at Malta International Airport.

Context: 103 Arrests in Early April

The Gżira sweep follows a coordinated enforcement operation one week earlier. On April 1, the Malta Police arrested 71 individuals in simultaneous raids across Marsa, Marsalforn, Xlendi, and Rabat in both Malta and Gozo.

Taken together, at least 103 undocumented migrants have been arrested in the first week of April 2026. Those arrested, hailing from countries including Nigeria, Liberia, and Syria, are awaiting processing and repatriation.

According to government data, 81% of irregular arrivals are processed for repatriation within months.

What This Means for Residents

If you employ domestic workers, construction labourers, or hospitality staff, be aware that police patrols are actively checking documentation. Employers caught hiring undocumented workers face fines and potential criminal charges under Malta's employment laws, while workers themselves face immediate detention and repatriation proceedings.

For asylum seekers and legal residents from non-EU countries, carry your residence permit, eKarte, or asylum seeker registration card at all times. Although Malta's standard detention period for irregular migrants is capped at three weeks before transfer to open accommodation centres, individuals arrested in these sweeps are being held pending repatriation proceedings.

For residents in Gżira and surrounding areas, expect continued police patrols in neighbourhoods where public complaints trigger immigration enforcement operations.