Background
The General Department of Immigration (GDI) administers immigration control and executes deportation measures for foreign nationals who violate Cambodia’s immigration rules. GDI coordinates with foreign diplomatic missions to repatriate foreign nationals suspected of involvement in cross-border crimes such as online scams.
In Cambodia, immigration enforcement combines administrative detention, identification of unlawful presence or unauthorized work, and diplomatic repatriation channels when foreign governments accept returnees. Senior officials in the Ministry of Interior provide operational directives that guide GDI procedures for large-scale removal operations and victim assistance in cases involving technology-enabled fraud.
Key Developments
On 17–18 May 2026, Cambodian immigration authorities removed a group of 319 Chinese nationals reported to be linked to online scams and to cases of illegal stay or unauthorized work. The GDI reported that 166 individuals (including 3 women) were deported via Phnom Penh Techo International Airport and 153 individuals (including 4 women) were deported via Siem Reap Angkor International Airport. The removals were carried out through a combination of special flights and standard airport immigration checkpoints, with coordination from the Chinese diplomatic mission.
Institutional Role
The operation was implemented by the General Department of Immigration under directives from senior Ministry of Interior leadership and in coordination with other law enforcement units. The GDI’s mandate in such cases includes identifying foreign nationals violating immigration conditions, processing removal orders, and arranging repatriation logistics with receiving states.
Operational Implications
The removal of 319 foreign nationals demonstrates the use of aviation entry/exit controls and diplomatic channels as primary mechanisms for repatriation in Cambodia’s immigration system. The authorities also stated that part of the operation included measures intended to assist persons deceived into participating in online scam operations to return to their countries of origin.
Source
Official departmental posts and social media accounts of the General Department of Immigration (GDI), including links published by GDI, provided the operational details and numbers for the deportation action.
