As part of its sustained nationwide crackdown on illegal immigrants, Saudi Arabia has said 11,915 foreigners have been arrested in one week for violating residency, labour, and border security laws.

From July 6-12, arrests were made in different areas of the kingdom, according to the Interior Ministry.

According to the ministry, these included 6,359 violators of the kingdom's residency laws, 3,753 more violators, and 1,803 others who breached labour laws.

The ministry said in a weekly update that 35,700 illegals, including 6,080 women, are currently subject to legal measures.

Another 26,161 illegals have been referred to their diplomatic missions to obtain travel documents prior to deportation, and 3,407 more have been referred to complete travel reservations, while another 4,508 have been deported. The ministry said that five people were arrested during the same period for transporting, sheltering and employing violators of the kingdom’s residency, border and work regulations.

Infiltrators who are facilitated into the kingdom, or who provide them with transportation, shelter or any other kind of assistance face penalties of up to 15 years in prison, a fine of up to SR1 million, confiscation of transportation and accommodation means, as well as naming and blaming those who do so.

Approximately 32.2 million people live in Saudi Arabia, which is home to a large community of migrant workers. In order to create a regulated labour market, the kingdom is launching a relentless nationwide campaign dubbed "A country without a violator".