Saudi Arabia arrests over 25,000 illegal residents in week-long nationwide security crackdown
30,528 violators referred to respective diplomatic missions to arrange travel documents
Dubai: Saudi Arabia has arrested more than 25,000 illegal residents across the Kingdom in a sweeping security campaign targeting violators of residency, labour, and border regulations.
According to an official statement, 25,150 individuals were detained during joint field operations conducted between March 13 and March 19.
The campaign covered multiple regions of the Kingdom and formed part of an ongoing nationwide effort to monitor and curb illegal residency and labour violations.
Of those arrested, 17,886 were found to be in violation of the Residency Law, 4,247 were violating the Border Security Law, and 3,017 had breached the Labour Law.
Additionally, 30,528 violators were referred to their respective diplomatic missions to arrange travel documents, and 2,420 were directed to complete their travel reservations. A total of 12,008 individuals were deported back to their countries.
Among those attempting to cross the border illegally, 1,553 individuals were apprehended. The majority of these violators were Ethiopian nationals (69 per cent), followed by Yemeni nationals (28 per cent), with the remaining 3 per cent from other countries. Furthermore, 63 individuals were arrested while trying to leave the Kingdom illegally.
In a related crackdown, 36 individuals were arrested for involvement in facilitating, transporting, sheltering, or employing violators of immigration laws. Currently, 38,061 illegal residents, including 35,795 men and 2,266 women, are undergoing legal procedures as part of the government's efforts to enforce penalties.
Officials stressed that the crackdown was not only aimed at upholding the law but also at preserving national security and ensuring a more organised labour market.
The Ministry of Interior has urged citizens and legal residents to avoid harboring or employing violators, warning that doing so constitutes a criminal offense punishable by fines, imprisonment, and deportation for non-Saudis.
