12 people found illegally residing in Gozo to be deported

Twelve people found to be residing illegally in Gozo have been detained pending deportation, Home Affairs Minister Glenn Bedingfield has announced.

In a Facebook post, Bedingfield said the individuals were apprehended in recent days during a coordinated operation involving the police and several other entities, including the Detention Services.

He said the individuals are being held until arrangements are made for their deportation.

Bedingfield said that Malta remains open to people who enter and reside in the country legally, but warned that those found to be staying illegally would be returned to their country of origin or to a country where they have permission to reside.

“Malta is open to those who come here legally,” he said. He added that anyone found to be in the country illegally would face deportation.