Saudi Arabia Arrests Over 18,800 for Residency, Labor, and Border Violations in One Week

Nationwide Crackdown Yields Thousands of Arrests

Saudi authorities have announced the arrest of 18,836 individuals in a single week for violating residency, labor, and border security regulations across the Kingdom. The comprehensive inspection campaigns were carried out between January 1 and January 7, targeting non-compliant individuals and those facilitating illegal activities.

The Ministry of Interior, in collaboration with various security forces and government agencies, conducted these joint field operations across all regions of Saudi Arabia.

Breakdown of Violations and Apprehensions

The arrests reflect a concerted effort to enforce national laws, with specific figures detailing the nature of the offenses:

• 11,710 individuals were apprehended for breaching residency laws.
• 4,239 individuals were detained for violations related to border security.
• 2,887 individuals were arrested for infractions of labor laws.

Authorities also reported significant arrests concerning illegal border crossings. A total of 1,741 individuals were caught attempting to enter the Kingdom unlawfully. Of these, 60 percent were Ethiopian nationals, 39 percent were Yemeni nationals, and 1 percent belonged to other nationalities. Additionally, 46 people were arrested while trying to exit the Kingdom illegally.

Penalties and Public Cooperation

The crackdown extended to those who aid violators, with 19 individuals detained for transporting, sheltering, or employing those in breach of regulations. The Ministry of Interior reiterated that severe penalties await those who facilitate illegal entry or provide assistance to violators. These penalties can include imprisonment for up to 15 years, fines of up to SR1 million ($267,000), and the confiscation of vehicles and properties used in such offenses. The ministry classified these actions as 'major crimes' that warrant arrest.

Currently, 29,823 expatriates, comprising 28,220 men and 1,603 women, are undergoing legal procedures. Of these, 20,956 individuals have been referred to their diplomatic missions to obtain travel documents, while 5,201 have been instructed to arrange their departure bookings. So far, 10,195 individuals have been repatriated.

The public has been urged to report any suspected violations by calling 911 in the Makkah, Riyadh, and Eastern regions, and 999 or 996 in other parts of the Kingdom, emphasizing the importance of public cooperation in maintaining security.