On June 10, Kyrgyzstan’s State Committee for National Security (GKNB) will launch a nationwide campaign titled Operation Illegal, aimed at identifying and deporting undocumented migrants. The initiative will involve joint efforts by the GKNB and other law enforcement agencies, with a focus on conducting mass checks of foreign nationals residing in the country.
The operation comes amid a sharp rise in the number of foreigners entering Kyrgyzstan in recent months. Speaking at a law enforcement coordination meeting, GKNB Chairman Kamchibek Tashiev outlined the scale of the influx: “Since the beginning of the year, 61,000 tourists, 30,000 foreign students, and 12,000 officially registered migrant workers have arrived in Kyrgyzstan. An additional 10,000 have entered for family, religious, or business purposes. The number of illegal migrants is estimated to exceed 5,000.”
Tashiev stressed that Kyrgyzstan’s simplified entry procedures are being exploited, with some foreigners misrepresenting the purpose of their stay. “Under the guise of tourism or education, some individuals are engaging in unauthorized labor activities,” he said. He also noted that host organizations, such as universities or private companies, often lose track of those they invite, leaving many foreign citizens to remain in the country with expired visas.
“This vulnerability can lead to a range of social issues,” Tashiev warned. “We are increasingly seeing cases of alcohol and drug abuse, breaches of public order, and even disrespect toward local customs and culture.”
Under Operation Illegal, authorities will carry out raids to verify the legal status of all foreign nationals. By June 10, all non-citizens must be able to prove their right to remain in Kyrgyzstan or prepare to leave. The government has allocated 280 million Kyrgyz soms (approximately $3.2 million) to fund deportation efforts.
