In Saudi Arabia, a relentless crackdown on illegal residents has led to the arrest of over 15,000 foreign violators of the kingdom’s residency, labor, and border security laws within a single week. Additionally, 10,482 individuals have been deported as part of this nationwide effort to address the issue of illegal immigration.
Saudi security authorities have been active in their pursuit of individuals who violate Saudi Arabia's residency, labor, and border security laws. During the period of September 14 to 20, they apprehended 15,000 foreign nationals who had violated these regulations. Among these arrests, 9,538 individuals were found to be in violation of the kingdom's residency system, while 3,694 were breaching border security rules. An additional 1,822 individuals had breached labor laws.
The Interior Ministry, in its weekly update, reported that there are currently 43,763 illegal residents facing legal measures in the kingdom. This includes 7,378 women. Furthermore, 38,220 individuals have been referred to their respective diplomatic missions to secure travel documents before deportation, and 1,722 others have been referred to facilitate travel reservations.
The update also revealed that during the same period, 115 individuals were arrested for their involvement in transporting, sheltering, and employing violators of the kingdom’s residency, border, and work regulations.
It is crucial to note that the Saudi Interior Ministry has consistently issued warnings to those who facilitate the entry of infiltrators into the kingdom. Those providing transportation, shelter, or any form of assistance to illegal residents may face penalties of up to 15 years in prison, fines of up to SR1 million, confiscation of transportation and accommodation means, and public naming and shaming.
Saudi Arabia, with a population of approximately 32.2 million people, accommodates a significant migrant worker community. Recently, the kingdom has introduced measures to regulate and stimulate the local labor market. The authorities have initiated a prominent nationwide campaign, known as "A Country Without a Violator," which focuses on addressing the issue of irregular expatriates.
The crackdown on illegal residents in Saudi Arabia underscores the kingdom's commitment to enforcing its residency, labor, and border security laws. The ongoing efforts seek to create a society where violations of these regulations are significantly reduced, ensuring a more regulated and orderly environment for both foreign nationals and the local population.
