Saudi Arabia cracks down on residency and labor violations
Penalties for facilitating the entry, transport, or sheltering of violators can be severe, including up to 15 years in prison
Riyadh: Saudi Arabian authorities arrested over 16,000 people in a week-long operation targeting residency, labor, and border security violations. The crackdown, aimed at addressing illegal immigration and enforcing regulations within the Kingdom, resulted in the arrest of over 16,565 individuals.
Breakdown of violations
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Residency Violations: Nearly 10,000 people (9,969) were apprehended for residing in Saudi Arabia without proper permits.
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Labor Infractions: Over 1,900 individuals (1,920) were arrested for violating labor regulations.
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Border Security Breaches: Authorities caught almost 4,700 people (4,676) attempting to enter or leave the country illegally. Notably, a significant portion (around 60%) of those attempting illegal entry were Ethiopian, with Yemenis making up another sizable group (37%).
Enforcement measures
Strict measures have been taken against the apprehended individuals.
The security forces also arrested three individuals accused of transporting, harboring, and employing those violating residency, labor, and border security laws.
In total, enforcement procedures were taken against 20,780 violators, comprising 19,396 men and 1,384 women.
Of those apprehended, 12,219 were referred to their diplomatic missions to secure travel documents, 2,931 were directed to complete their travel arrangements, and 9,663 were deported.
Penalties for aiding violators
The Ministry warned of severe consequences for those who assist violators. These penalties include lengthy imprisonment (up to 15 years), substantial fines (up to one million Saudi Riyals), confiscation of vehicles and housing used in violation facilitation, and public defamation.
Reporting suspected violations
The Saudi Arabian government encourages citizens and residents to report any suspected violations. Reporting hotlines differ by region:
Mecca, Riyadh, and Eastern Provinces: (911)
Other Regions: (999) or (996)