Riyadh: The Ministry of Interior's recent inspection campaigns across the Kingdom, conducted between July 24 and July 30, identified 22,147 violations related to residency, labor, and border security laws. These violations included 13,835 instances related to residency, 4,772 pertaining to border security, and 3,540 concerning labor laws.
According to Saudi Press Agency, border authorities apprehended 1,816 individuals attempting to cross into the Kingdom illegally, with 36% identified as Yemenis, 62% as Ethiopians, and 2% from other nationalities. Additionally, 34 people were arrested for attempting to leave the Kingdom illegally.
Authorities also detained 20 individuals involved in transporting, sheltering, and employing violators. Currently, procedures are underway for 21,143 expatriates, comprising 18,326 men and 2,817 women, to enforce relevant regulations.
The report further noted that 13,569 individuals were detained for violating regulations and have been instructed to contact their respective embassies or consulates to obtain proper travel documents. Of these, 3,566 individuals were advised to make travel arrangements, and 10,820 have been repatriated.
The Ministry of Interior has issued a stern warning that facilitating the illegal entry of individuals into the Kingdom, or providing them with transport, shelter, assistance, or any other services, may result in penalties of up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to SAR1 million. The ministry also indicated that vehicles and properties used in such activities may be confiscated.
The ministry emphasized that these actions are considered major crimes warranting arrest and encouraged the public to report any violations by calling 911 in Makkah, Riyadh, and Eastern regions, or 999 and 996 in other parts of the Kingdom.