Riyadh: In a concerted effort to uphold residency, labor, and border security laws, Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Interior reported 20,319 violations during inspection campaigns conducted between August 21 and 27. These violations included 12,891 related to residency, 3,888 to border security, and 3,540 to labor laws.
According to Saudi Press Agency, border authorities intercepted 1,238 individuals attempting illegal entry into the Kingdom. Among these, 50% were identified as Yemenis, 49% as Ethiopians, and the remaining 1% from other nationalities. Additionally, 22 individuals were apprehended for attempting to exit the Kingdom unlawfully.
The crackdown also witnessed the arrest of 16 individuals implicated in transporting, sheltering, and employing violators. Currently, 27,417 expatriates, comprising 24,870 men and 2,547 women, are undergoing procedures aimed at enforcing regulations.
In a parallel development, 20,916 individuals were detained for regulatory violations and directed to liaise with their respective embassies or consulates to acquire valid travel documents. Furthermore, 1,786 were advised to make travel arrangements, and 11,279 were repatriated.
The Ministry of Interior has issued a stern warning that facilitating the illegal entry of individuals, or providing them shelter, transport, or any form of assistance, is a serious offense. Such acts could attract penalties of up to 15 years in prison and fines as high as SAR1 million. The ministry also noted the possibility of confiscation of vehicles used for transport and properties used for shelter.
The ministry reiterated that these acts are major crimes warranting arrest and urged the public to report any violations by contacting 911 in Makkah, Riyadh, and Eastern regions, or 999 and 996 elsewhere in the Kingdom.