The Immigration Department in Eastern Province has arrested 31 suspected illegal immigrants.
Immigration Spokesperson Namati Nshinka has confirmed to Breeze News.
Mr Nshinka says that the arrests were made following a clean-up operation carried out on Saturday and Sunday in parts of Chipata and Katete Districts.
He says among those arrested include are 19 Malawians arrested within Chipata for engaging in either trade or employment without permits and nine other Malawian women suspected to be engaged in commercial sex work.
Mr Nshinka says the regional office also arrested 3 Tanzanians in Katete for trading without permits.
He warned foreign nationals who are in the country and those intending to come to Zambia to comply with the immigration regulations.
Mr Nshinka says failure do so will result in them being arrested, prosecuted, imprisoned and sent back to their countries of origin.