Background
The General Department of Immigration (GDI) implements removal and repatriation procedures for foreign nationals through designated points of entry, including international airports and land border checkpoints. Deportation operations are coordinated with foreign diplomatic missions when repatriation requires special flights or bilateral arrangements.
Immigration authorities apply administrative measures under immigration law to remove individuals identified as participating in online fraud, illegal residence, or unauthorized employment. The GDI also undertakes victim-assistance steps to return persons who were coerced or deceived into participating in unlawful activities to their countries of origin.
Key Developments
On 11–12 June 2026 the General Department of Immigration executed removal operations that resulted in the deportation of 237 foreign nationals connected to online scam activities and unlawful stay/work. The operation repatriated 165 people of Chinese nationality (including five women) via a special flight processed at Techo International Airport, and 72 Vietnamese nationals (including 17 women) through the Prey Veng international land border checkpoint. The GDI reported that the actions were carried out in cooperation with the Chinese diplomatic mission and under guidance from senior Ministry of Interior leadership.
Institutional Role
The GDI’s responsibilities in such cases include identification of suspect individuals, coordination with investigative units, arranging transport and clearance at points of departure, and liaising with foreign missions for repatriation logistics. Use of special flights and designated border checkpoints is part of the operational toolkit for executing coordinated removals while managing immigration processing and security checks.
Operational Implications
The June enforcement actions illustrate how immigration procedures are applied to cases that combine alleged cyber-enabled crime and irregular migration status, requiring coordination across diplomatic, law-enforcement, and airport/land-border operations. Affected individuals are processed for removal and repatriation according to administrative procedures, and victims identified during operations are afforded assistance to return to their home countries.
