NEW YORK (VINnews) — Philippine immigration authorities arrested several Israeli citizens during a raid at a Chabad center on the island of Siargao, alleging they had overstayed their visas or were working without the required permits.

The operation, carried out Friday night with the assistance of local police, was part of a broader immigration enforcement campaign targeting foreign nationals suspected of violating Philippine immigration laws. Authorities said those arrested were being held pending deportation proceedings and transfer to an immigration detention facility in the capital.

According to the Philippine Bureau of Immigration, several Israelis were accused of remaining in the country after their visas expired or working without valid employment permits. Authorities also detained foreign nationals from several other countries during the operation on similar alleged immigration violations.

An Israeli family attending Shabbat services and a communal dinner at the Chabad center described armed officers entering the building, ordering those present to remain seated while immigration investigators checked identification documents and searched for individuals suspected of violating visa rules. The family said several Israelis were taken into custody after being questioned.

Immigration officials said the raid was based on intelligence information and complaints received from local residents. They stressed the operation was strictly an enforcement action related to immigration laws and was not connected to religion or politics.

Siargao has become a popular destination for Israeli backpackers, surfers and long-term travelers in recent years, with a growing Israeli community and several Israeli-owned businesses on the island. Philippine authorities said immigration enforcement efforts will continue in Siargao and other tourist destinations, warning that foreign nationals who violate the country’s immigration laws could face detention and deportation.