Riyadh: The Ministry of Interior conducted inspection campaigns in the Kingdom between May 1 and 7 to ensure compliance with residency, labor, and border security laws.
According to Saudi Press Agency, the inspections yielded significant results across the Kingdom, with 15,928 violations recorded. These included 10,179 violations of residency laws, 3,912 of border security, and 1,837 of labor laws. In a related effort to curb illegal border crossings, authorities apprehended 1,248 individuals attempting to enter the Kingdom illegally. Of these, 35% were identified as Yemenis, 63% as Ethiopians, and 2% as belonging to other nationalities. Additionally, 45 individuals were arrested for trying to leave the Kingdom illegally.
The crackdown also led to the arrest of 26 people involved in the transportation, sheltering, and employment of violators. Currently, 25,689 expatriates, comprising 23,946 men and 1,743 women, are undergoing procedures for enforcing regulations. Of those detained, 19,455 individuals were instructed to contact their respective embassies or consulates to secure proper travel documentation. Furthermore, 1,667 were advised to make booking arrangements for their departure, and 12,898 have been successfully repatriated.
The Ministry of Interior has issued a stern warning against facilitating the illegal entry of individuals into the Kingdom. It emphasized that anyone involved in transporting, sheltering, or providing assistance to illegal entrants could face penalties of up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to SAR1 million. Additionally, any vehicles used for transport or houses used for shelter may be confiscated.
The ministry underscored that such acts are considered major crimes warranting arrest and urged the public to report any violations by calling 911 in Makkah, Riyadh, and Eastern regions, and 999 or 996 in other parts of the Kingdom.