Background
The General Department of Immigration (GDI) is the national authority responsible for applying Cambodia’s immigration controls, including entry, exit, and repatriation procedures. Cambodia’s immigration authorities coordinate with foreign diplomatic missions to repatriate foreign nationals alleged to have committed immigration violations or criminal offences.
On 18 June 2026, GDI acted on guidance from senior leadership within the Ministry of Interior and immigration officials to remove 164 Chinese nationals from Cambodian territory. The group included 10 women and was linked by authorities to cases described as online scams and instances of illegal residence and work; repatriation was completed via a special aircraft at the police post of Techo International Airport in coordination with the Chinese embassy in Phnom Penh.
Key Developments
GDI reported that the removal operation followed recommendations from senior Interior Ministry and immigration leadership and involved the department’s investigation directorate working with the Chinese diplomatic mission in Phnom Penh. The deportations were carried out on a special flight from the airport police post at Techo International Airport on 18 June 2026.
Official GDI channels listed the action and related public communications through the department’s website and social media outlets.
Institutional Role
The Investigation Directorate within the General Department of Immigration was identified as a central actor in processing the cases and coordinating with foreign authorities for repatriation steps. The Ministry of Interior provides senior policy and operational guidance to GDI on immigration enforcement activities, including cross-border cooperation with diplomatic missions.
Operational Implications
The operation demonstrates the use of dedicated airport police procedures and special flights for repatriating foreign nationals linked to alleged criminal activity or immigration violations. Coordination between immigration investigators, the Ministry of Interior leadership, and a foreign embassy is a documented mechanism for facilitating repatriation in such cases.
Source: General Department of Immigration post and official channels — https://www.facebook.com/reel/1726111235477113/
