Over 20,000 illegal residents arrested in nationwide crackdown in Saudi Arabia

Dubai: Some 20,668 illegal residents were arrested across Saudi Arabia during coordinated security campaigns conducted between April 10 and April 16, the Ministry of Interior has announced.

The arrests were made during joint field inspections carried out by security forces in cooperation with various government agencies. The crackdown targeted individuals in violation of residency, labour and border security regulations.

Among those apprehended were 12,372 violators of the Residency Law, 4,750 violators of the Border Security Law, and 3,566 violators of the Labour Law.

In addition, 1,264 individuals were caught attempting to illegally cross the Kingdom’s borders — 61 per cent of whom were Ethiopian nationals, 36 percent Yemeni, and three percent from other nationalities. Another 93 people were arrested while trying to leave the Kingdom unlawfully.

As part of ongoing enforcement efforts, 32,417 individuals — including 30,038 men and 2,379 women — are currently undergoing legal procedures.

These include documentation, travel arrangements, and deportation processes. A total of 24,811 violators have been referred to their respective diplomatic missions to obtain travel documents, 2,936 to finalize travel bookings, and 12,235 individuals have already been deported.

Authorities also arrested 27 people accused of facilitating violations by providing transportation, shelter, or employment to those residing illegally in the Kingdom.

The ministry reiterated that any person found aiding illegal entrants — whether by transporting, sheltering, or employing them — faces harsh penalties of up to 15 years in prison, fines of up to SR1 million, and confiscation of vehicles or properties used in the offence.

The ministry called on citizens and residents to report any violations by dialling 911 in Mecca, Riyadh and the Eastern Province, or 999 and 996 in the Kingdom's other regions.