Riyadh: The Ministry of Interior conducted inspection campaigns in the Kingdom between February 06 to February 12 to ensure compliance with residency, labor, and border security laws.
According to Saudi Press Agency, the inspections yielded the following results: Across the Kingdom, 22,663 violations were recorded, with 13,799 pertaining to residency, 5,594 to border security, and 3,270 to labor laws. In attempts to cross the border into the Kingdom illegally, 2,133 individuals were apprehended. Of these, 36% were identified as Yemenis, 63% Ethiopians, and 01% from other nationalities. Additionally, 184 people were arrested for attempting to leave the Kingdom illegally.
The crackdown resulted in the arrest of fourteen individuals involved in transporting, sheltering, and employing violators. A total of 38,777 expatriates, comprising 34,708 men and 4,069 women, are currently undergoing procedures for enforcing regulations. Of these, 29,510 have been detained for violating laws and instructed to contact their countries' embassies or consulates to secure proper travel documentation. Furthermore, 3,678 individuals were advised to arrange bookings for their departure, and 10,822 have already been repatriated.
The Ministry of Interior has issued a warning that any person who facilitates the illegal entry of individuals into the Kingdom, transports them within its territory, or provides them with shelter or any other assistance may face penalties of up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to SAR1 million. Additionally, vehicles used for transport or houses used for sheltering violators may be confiscated. The ministry emphasized that such acts are considered major crimes warranting arrest, urging the public to report any violations by calling 911 in the Makkah, Riyadh, and Eastern regions, and 999 and 996 in the rest of the Kingdom.