Georgian authorities have detained 32 foreign nationals during a series of raids in Tbilisi and Batumi as part of an operation targeting illegal migration, the Interior Ministry of Georgia said.

Those detained include citizens of India, Bangladesh, Thailand, China, Türkiye, Palestine, Nigeria, Uzbekistan, and Egypt, The Caspian Post reports, citing Georgian media.

“Based on received information, officers from the Migration Department inspected specific locations as part of an operation aimed at identifying foreign nationals residing in Georgia without legal grounds,” the ministry said in a statement.

Video footage released by authorities showed inspections of food service establishments, courier bags linked to delivery platforms Glovo and Wolt, as well as residential premises allegedly used by the migrants.

All detainees were transferred to the Migration Department’s temporary accommodation center, where deportation procedures have been launched.

The ruling Georgian Dream party has pursued an increasingly strict policy toward illegal migration. Now in its 13th year in power, the government has tightened migration legislation, streamlining deportation procedures and expanding the scope for searches of residences and workplaces of foreign nationals. Administrative penalties for migration violations have also been increased, including expulsion from the country.

In 2025, more than 1,300 foreign nationals were deported for breaching migration laws, the highest figure in recent years. Authorities have said they intend to further step up deportations going forward.