In a decisive move, Saudi Arabia has apprehended a staggering 18,901 illegal residents within just one week, signaling a firm stance on upholding its laws and regulations.

During the initial week of February, comprehensive inspection raids were conducted across all regions of the Kingdom, resulting in the detention of individuals violating various statutes. According to the Saudi Press Agency, these arrests encompassed 11,419 individuals infringing upon the Residency Law, 4,533 breaching the Border Security Law, and 2,949 contravening the Labor Law.

This proactive enforcement was part of joint field security campaigns orchestrated by both security forces and pertinent government entities between Feb. 1 and Feb. 7. Notably, 1,051 individuals were apprehended while attempting to cross into Saudi Arabia illegally. Among them, 41% hailed from Yemen, 57% from Ethiopia, with the remaining 2% representing other nationalities.

Moreover, the crackdown extended to individuals complicit in facilitating illegal residency, employment, and transportation. Ten such individuals were arrested for aiding violators, highlighting the severity of the Kingdom's stance on such offenses.

Currently, legal procedures are underway for 57,253 expatriates found in violation, with 50,258 referred to their respective diplomatic missions for travel documents and 2,297 for travel reservations. Additionally, 10,443 violators have been deported.

The Ministry of Interior has underscored severe penalties for those aiding illegal entry, including up to 15 years of imprisonment, fines reaching SR1 million, and confiscation of transportation and housing used for illegal accommodation, along with publicized naming at the violator's expense.

To bolster these efforts, the Ministry has urged the public to report violations promptly, providing designated hotline numbers for different regions.