20,471 Violators of Residence, Labor, Border Security Laws Apprehended in a Week

The Ministry of Interior conducted inspection campaigns in the Kingdom between August 1 and August 7, 2024, to ensure compliance with residency, labor and border security laws. The inspections yielded the following results: Across the Kingdom, 20,471 violations were recorded: 12,972 of residency, 4,812 of border security, and 2,687 of labor laws. Attempting to cross the border into the Kingdom illegally were 1,050 individuals, of whom 36% were Yemenis, 62% Ethiopians, and 02% of other nationalities; 61 people were arrested for attempting to leave the Kingdom illegally. Twenty people involved in transporting, sheltering, and employing violators were arrested. A total of 14,929 expatriates (1,3522 men and 1,407 women) are currently undergoing procedures for enforcing regulations. Five thousand seven hundred and one people were detained for violating laws and instructed to contact their countries' embassies or consulates to obtain proper travel documentation; 2,494 were told to complete booking arran gements for their departure, and 9,714 were repatriated. The Ministry of Interior has warned that any person who facilitates the illegal entry of individuals into the Kingdom, transports them on its territory, provides them shelter or any other assistance or service may be penalized with up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to SAR1 million, and that the vehicles used for transport or houses used for shelter may be confiscated. The ministry stressed that such acts are major crimes that warrant arrest. It also urges people to report any violations by calling 911 in the Makkah, Riyadh, and Eastern regions, and 999 and 996 in the rest of the Kingdom. Source: Saudi Press Agency