The Saudi Ministry of Interior published the results of its joint field campaigns to apprehend violators of residency, labor, and border security laws, as well as residents in Saudi Arabia who violated labor and residency regulations. Thousands of violators who assisted illegal immigrants in entering the country were arrested, in addition to other violators residing illegally within Saudi Arabia.

The official statement issued by the Saudi Ministry of Interior emphasized the paramount importance of border and community security and the zero-tolerance policy regarding any violations.

Arrests: Figures and Statistics

Statistics officially released regarding the results of the intensive security campaigns targeting violators of Saudi residency regulations, which were carried out throughout the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, indicate the arrest of 12,192 individuals for violating the law in just one week. The arrests were distributed across various types of violations, as follows:

  • 6,606 individuals for violating residency laws.
  • 3,510 individuals for violating border security laws.
  • 2,076 arrests for violating labor laws.

According to a statement issued by the Saudi Ministry of Interior, approximately 1,454 people were apprehended while attempting to cross the border into the Kingdom illegally.

Regarding their nationalities, Ethiopians constituted the largest group (67%), followed by Yemenis (32%), and then citizens of other countries (1%). Meanwhile, security forces arrested 50 people attempting to leave the Kingdom illegally.

Combating "Illegal Intermediaries": Housing and Transportation

It should be noted that the security campaigns conducted by the Saudi Arabian police have not been limited to pursuing violators alone, but have also targeted those who assisted them.

Twenty-two individuals were detained on charges of transporting, concealing, employing, and harboring individuals who violated residency, labor, and border security laws.

This measure demonstrates the Ministry's seriousness in eliminating the root causes of these violations by pursuing all those who provide logistical support to infiltrators.

Legal Procedures and Deportation

The Ministry of Interior announced that 33,223 undocumented migrants are currently undergoing procedures to regularize their legal status, including 30,666 men and 2,557 women. The following measures have been taken to expedite their regularization:

  • 20,318 individuals who violated the law were referred to their respective embassies to obtain travel documents.
  • 6,299 individuals who violated the law were asked to finalize their travel plans.
  • After completing the necessary legal procedures, 17,368 violators were returned to their countries of origin.

Severe Warnings and Deterrent Penalties

At the end of its official statement issued this morning, the Ministry of Interior reiterated its strong warning to anyone who assists those who violate border security regulations by entering the Kingdom, moving within it, seeking refuge there, or obtaining any other form of assistance.

The Ministry emphasized that perpetrators of these acts will face deterrent penalties, including:

  • Imprisonment for up to 15 years.
  • A substantial fine of up to one million riyals.

The vehicle and location where the criminals were hiding will be confiscated, and they will be publicly exposed.

The Ministry clarified that these acts constitute serious crimes warranting arrest and represent a violation of honor and integrity.

It called upon citizens and residents to cooperate with security forces and report any violations via the following numbers: 911 in Mecca, Medina, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province, and 999 and 996 in the rest of the Kingdom.