Saudi Arabia cracks down on illegal immigration with massive week-long operation

Saudi Arabia has taken firm action against illegal immigration, apprehending a staggering 16,790 individuals within a single week. This crackdown, which took place from October 5 to 11, targeted those who violated residency, labor laws, and border security regulations across various regions of the Kingdom.

The Ministry of Interior spearheaded this massive operation, coordinating efforts across different units of the security forces. The arrests made during this period encompassed a wide range of offenses. Notably, 10,177 individuals were apprehended for violating residency system regulations, 4,523 for contravening border security rules, and 2,090 for breaking labor laws.

Moreover, 709 people were caught attempting to cross the border into Saudi Arabia. Among these, 63% were of Yemeni origin, 34% hailed from Ethiopia, and 3% represented other nationalities. A portion of those arrested, 86 individuals, were trying to exit Saudi Arabia by crossing its borders.

In a further move to quell illegal immigration, nineteen individuals who were involved in the transportation and harboring of violators of residency and work regulations were arrested.

The scale of the issue is evident, with a total of 45,724 violators currently undergoing legal procedures for their infringements. These include 38,040 men and 7,684 women. Among them, 39,941 violators have been referred to their respective diplomatic missions to obtain travel documents, 1,750 were directed to finalize their travel arrangements, and 8,745 have already been deported.

The Ministry of Interior has issued a stern warning, emphasizing that anyone found facilitating the entry of infiltrators into the Kingdom, providing transportation, shelter, or any form of assistance, may face severe penalties. These penalties can include up to 15 years in prison, a maximum fine of SR1 million, and the confiscation of their means of transportation and accommodation. Saudi Arabia is determined to enforce its immigration and border security regulations rigorously.