Cypriot authorities detain 18 illegal residents in countrywide operation

On September 21, 2026, the Aliens and Immigration Unit of the Republic of Cyprus conducted a targeted operation across the districts of Larnaca, Limassol, and Paphos. The mission aimed to identify and detain individuals residing in the country without valid legal documentation. Law enforcement officials successfully apprehended 18 third-country nationals during the enforcement action.

Following their arrest, all 18 individuals were transferred to a dedicated reception facility. Cypriot authorities, in collaboration with the Deputy Ministry of Migration and International Protection, have initiated the necessary legal and administrative procedures to facilitate the repatriation of these individuals to their countries of origin. This operation is part of a series of ongoing state efforts to ensure compliance with immigration laws and maintain public order throughout the Republic.

While police across Cyprus have continued their enforcement activities in the days following this operation—focusing on traffic violations, crime prevention, and illegal residence checks—this specific initiative serves as a clear indicator of the state's current strategy to manage migration status and enforce residency regulations through periodic, large-scale district inspections.