Saudi Arabia deports over 8,700 illegal residents in a week

Dubai: Saudi Arabia has deported 8,733 illegal residents in the past week as part of a nationwide crackdown on residency, labour, and border violations, the Ministry of Interior announced on Saturday.

Between January 30 and February 5, security forces carried out joint field operations in collaboration with multiple government agencies, leading to the arrest of 21,477 individuals across various regions of the Kingdom. Those detained included 13,638 violators of the Residency Law, 4,663 violators of the Border Security Law, and 3,176 violators of the Labor Law, the ministry said.

The operation also apprehended 1,316 people attempting to cross the border into Saudi Arabia illegally, with 40 per cent identified as Yemeni nationals, 58 percent as Ethiopian nationals, and 2 per cent from other nationalities. An additional 77 individuals were arrested while trying to leave the country unlawfully.

Authorities also referred 28,661 violators to their diplomatic missions to obtain travel documents, while 2,919 individuals were in the process of completing travel reservations.

The crackdown extended beyond undocumented individuals, with 13 people arrested for facilitating illegal entry, providing shelter, or employing violators.

The Ministry of Interior confirmed that 37,120 individuals—33,547 men and 3,573 women — are currently undergoing legal procedures ahead of further punitive measures.

Saudi law imposes severe penalties on those assisting illegal migration, including prison sentences of up to 15 years and fines of up to SR1 million ($266,000). The ministry warned that vehicles and properties used to transport or harbor violators will be confiscated.