Saudi Arabia: 15,351 illegals Are Arrested in a Week

Over 15,000 people were arrested in Saudi Arabia for violating residency, labor, and border security regulations in the past week.

According to the Ministry of Interior, the arrests were made during the joint field campaigns carried out by various units of the security forces across the Kingdom during the week from August 24 to 30.

The arrests included 9,124 violators of the residency system, 4,284 violators of the border security rules, and 1,943 violators of the labor laws.

Saudi authorities arrested 579 people for attempting to cross the border into the Kingdom. The majority of the detainees were Yemeni (54%), followed by Ethiopians (44%). 257 people were also arrested for trying to cross the border to exit Saudi Arabia.

Fourteen people were arrested for being part of easing the process of the entry and stay of people in Saudi Arabia who were violators of residency and work regulations.

Over 41,000 people are being processed for violating residency and labor regulations in Saudi Arabia. The majority of the violators are men (33,968), while the rest are women (7,080).

Of the violators, 35,175 have been referred to their diplomatic missions to obtain travel documents. 1,690 have been referred to complete their travel reservations, and 9,594 have been deported.

The Ministry of Interior warned that anyone who facilitates the entry of an infiltrator into the Kingdom or provides them with transportation, shelter, or any other assistance will be punished with up to 15 years in prison, a fine of up to 1 million Saudi riyals, and the confiscation of their transportation and accommodation.