The Immigration Department has cautioned groups not empowered to deal with undocumented migrants against taking the law into their own hands.

This follows Parti Bumiputera Perkasa Malaysia (Putra) announcing a squad aimed at "hunting" undocumented migrants and overstaying tourists. 

"The task to deal with undocumented migrants lies with the authorities based on existing laws and regulations.

"No quarter or organisation is given power under the law to pursue undocumented migrants," said Immigration director-general Khairul Dzaimee Daud in a statement today.

Khairul said the public can channel information on undocumented migrants to the Immigration Department and action will be taken.

"However, people are reminded not to take their own action.

"In accordance with Article 51 of the Immigration Act 1969/63, the power to arrest is limited only to the Immigration, police and Customs personnel," he said.

Khairul said since the start of this year, the Immigration Department has conducted 17,328 operations which saw 50,715 undocumented migrants and 1,252 employers arrested.

"Every undocumented migrant arrested will undergo the process of investigation, prosecution and conviction before they are sent back to their country of origin," he said.

Earlier today, Putra president Ibrahim Ali defended the setting up of the squad.

He maintained the squad was not a vigilante group and claimed that it can help deal with information leak by the authorities during operations to nab undocumented migrants.