Saudi Arabia deports over 11,500 illegal residents in one week

Dubai: Saudi Arabia has arrested more than 13,000 individuals for violating residency, labour, and border security regulations during a weeklong campaign across the Kingdom, the Ministry of Interior announced on Saturday.

The coordinated sweep, which took place between May 15 and May 21, resulted in the detention of 13,118 individuals.

The inspections were carried out by Saudi security forces in partnership with multiple government agencies, as part of the Kingdom’s ongoing efforts to curb illegal residency and unauthorized labor practices.

According to the ministry, the majority of those arrested, 8,150 individuals, were violating residency laws, while 3,344 had breached border security regulations, and 1,624 were found violating the labor code.

Authorities reported that 11,566 violators were deported during the period, while 15,936 others were referred to their respective diplomatic missions to obtain travel documents for repatriation. An additional 1,359 individuals were processed for travel reservations as they await final deportation.

The crackdown also targeted border crossers. A total of 1,207 individuals were detained while attempting to enter Saudi Arabia illegally.

Of those, 61 percent were identified as Ethiopian nationals, 37 per cent as Yemenis, and the remaining 2 per cent of other nationalities.

In addition to those attempting unauthorized entry, authorities apprehended 13 individuals suspected of aiding violators, either by providing transportation, shelter, or employment. Such assistance is considered a criminal offense under Saudi law.

Currently, 21,872 individuals, comprising 20,616 men and 1,256 women, are undergoing various legal procedures related to their violations.

The Ministry of Interior warned residents and businesses that harboring or assisting undocumented individuals is a serious offense. Violators could face prison sentences of up to 15 years and fines reaching SR1 million, in addition to the confiscation of vehicles or properties used in the offense.

-- Huda Ata is an independent writer based in the UAE