Saudi Arabia has deported 11,894 illegal residents over the past week following a series of nationwide raids, the Ministry of Interior reported on Saturday. The crackdown is part of an extensive campaign to address violations of residency, labour, and border security laws across the Kingdom.
Between September 19 and 25, Saudi security forces, in collaboration with various government agencies, detained 15,324 individuals. According to the ministry, 9,235 individuals were in violation of the Kingdom’s Residency Law, 3,772 breached border security regulations, and 2,317 were found to be working illegally.
Illegal Residency Violations and Arrests
Of those arrested, 6,520 have been handed over to their respective diplomatic missions for the issuance of travel documents, and 1,385 are currently finalizing their travel arrangements. Additionally, 1,226 individuals were caught attempting to cross into Saudi Arabia illegally, 48 percent of whom were identified as Yemeni nationals, while 51 percent were Ethiopian nationals.
Efforts to Combat Illegal Crossings and Employment
Meanwhile, authorities also detained 116 individuals who were attempting to leave the Kingdom illegally. Four individuals were arrested for allegedly facilitating the illegal entry, sheltering, and employment of undocumented residents.
Severe Penalties for Violators
The Ministry of Interior reiterated that such offenses carry heavy penalties, including up to 15 years in prison, fines reaching SR1 million, and confiscation of any vehicles or properties used in these illegal activities.
Public Reporting and Hotline Information
The ministry urged citizens and residents to report any violations and provided specific hotlines for Mecca, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province (911) and for other regions (999 and 996) to facilitate reporting efforts.
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