Saudi Arabia Arrests 15,800 Residency and Labor Violators
Saudi Arabian authorities have arrested 15,836 violators of residency, labor, and border security laws during nationwide joint inspection campaigns conducted over the past week. The Ministry of Interior said the campaigns were carried out between 24 Muharram and 1 Safar 1448 AH. The arrests included 7,892 violators of the Residency Law, 4,617 violators of the Border Security Law, and 3,327 violators of the Labor Law.
Authorities also arrested 1,631 people attempting to enter the Kingdom illegally. Of these, 65 percent were Ethiopian nationals, 33 percent were Yemeni nationals, and 2 percent were of other nationalities. Another 42 people were arrested while attempting to leave the Kingdom illegally.
Twenty-one individuals were apprehended for transporting, sheltering, employing, or concealing violators of residency, labor, and border security regulations. The Ministry warned that such acts carry severe penalties.
The ministry said 30,139 violators are currently undergoing legal procedures, including 28,087 men and 2,052 women. It added that 17,273 violators have been referred to obtain travel documents, 6,160 to complete travel reservations, and 12,211 have been deported.
The Ministry of Interior warned that anyone who facilitates the illegal entry, transportation, sheltering, or employment of border security violators faces severe penalties. These include up to 15 years’ imprisonment, fines of up to SR1 million, and the confiscation of any vehicles or property used in the offense.
The ministry urged the public to report any violations by calling 911 in Makkah, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province, or 999 and 996 in the rest of the Kingdom. It stressed that all reports are handled with complete confidentiality and that informants bear no legal responsibility.
The arrests reflect Saudi Arabia’s ongoing efforts to enforce residency, labor, and border security laws. The Kingdom’s strict penalties for violators and facilitators serve as a deterrent. The public is encouraged to cooperate with authorities by reporting violations.
