Saudi Arabia: Security Forces Detain 20,778 Illegal Residents in One Week
Over the previous week, Saudi security officials arrested 20,678 illegal immigrants in several parts of the Kingdom. An announcement by the Ministry of Interior on Saturday said that the arrests were part of combined field security campaigns carried out from October 31 to November 6 in conjunction with government agencies. With further legal action under progress, the arrested people violate rules pertaining to residency, labor, and border security.
The arrests split out into 11,523 residents law violators, 5,711 border security law offenders, and 3,544 labor law violators. Among those arrested, 1,569 people were caught trying to unlawfully enter the Kingdom; 24 percent were Yemeni nationals, 73 percent were Ethiopian, and three percent from other nations. Another sixty-three people were arrested trying to depart Saudi Arabia without permission.
Authorities also arrested fifteen persons accused of hiring, hiding, and transporting illegal immigrants. Comprising 17,915 males and 2,448 women, the 20,363 expatriates among the detained are now under different phases of legal processing. Following Saudi laws, 12,138 of these offenders were sent to their respective consulates or embassies for travel documentation. Of the other 3,128 people helped with travel plans, 9,254 were later deported.
A strong warning against helping illegal immigrants came from the Ministry of Interior. Any person detected helping illegal immigrants into Saudi Arabia, provided transportation inside the nation, or giving them lodging or other kind of help could pay heavy fines. These comprise up to 15 years in prison, a maximum fine of SR1 million, and seizure of property and vehicles engaged in illicit activity.
The ministry has pushed public reporting of any alleged infractions to support enforcement. While those in other areas may call the authorities using the numbers 999 or 996, citizens of Makkah, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province can use 911, This attractiveness emphasizes the initiatives of the Saudi government to improve security and guarantee adherence to national rules over residence, employment, and border access.
Saudi Arabia's dedication to implementing its immigration laws and working across agencies to control security issues connected to illegal entry, employment, and residence inside the Kingdom manifests in the crackdown on illegal residents. The Ministry of Interior seeks to simplify enforcement policies by including diplomatic posts and accelerating deportation procedures, so preserving the legal system of the nation.
The stance of the Saudi government on immigration violations and residency not only supports national security but also discouragement of future cases of illegal immigration and residence. The severe fines draw attention to Saudi Arabia's zero-tolerance policy on illegal residence, so endangering the public order and the economy. The Kingdom's cooperation with diplomatic missions also shows a methodical approach to handling foreign nationals and guaranteeing safe deportations, therefore honoring the rights and policies pertinent to every nation.
Saudi security officials' continuous projects, in coordination with other government departments, show a growing attention on unlawful residence problems. Saudi officials want to guarantee a group effort in preserving legal residence criteria and border integrity by imposing strict penalties and actively involve the community through assigned hotlines. By means of its latest actions, Saudi Arabia keeps presenting itself as a country maintaining strict but orderly immigration control regulations.