The security authorities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia continue their tireless efforts to maintain security and tighten control over the country’s ports of entry. The joint field campaigns to monitor and apprehend violators of residency, labor and border security regulations, which included all regions of the Kingdom, have yielded decisive results that reflect the vigilance of the security services and their commitment to implementing the regulations.
General context and importance of security campaigns
These ongoing efforts are an extension of comprehensive national initiatives, such as the “A Nation Without Violators” campaign launched by the Saudi government to regularize the status of expatriates and regulate the labor market. Given the Kingdom’s significant economic and religious standing, it is a major destination for job seekers, necessitating strict regulations to protect the national economy and social security. These campaigns play a pivotal role in combating commercial concealment, reducing the informal economy, and providing a regulated work environment that supports national talent and aligns with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.
Details of arrests of violators of residency and labor regulations
During the period from April 2nd to 8th, the Ministry of Interior announced the apprehension of 15,458 violators across various regions of the Kingdom. These violations included 8,440 residency violations, 4,054 border security violations, and 2,964 labor law violations.
Regarding infiltration attempts, statistics recorded the apprehension of 1,600 individuals attempting to cross the border into the Kingdom illegally. Ethiopian nationals constituted the largest group (60%), followed by Yemeni nationals (39%), and other nationalities (1%). Additionally, attempts by 47 individuals to cross the border out of the Kingdom illegally were thwarted.
Expected impact and actions taken
At the regional and international levels, these decisive measures are dealing a significant blow to organized crime networks and human trafficking gangs that exploit regional conditions in neighboring countries and the Horn of Africa. Domestically, they enhance social stability and reduce crimes related to undocumented workers.
Security measures also included the arrest of 30 individuals involved in transporting, harboring, employing, and concealing undocumented migrants. Currently, 40,184 undocumented migrants are undergoing procedures for implementing the regulations, including 35,861 men and 4,323 women. Regarding deportation, 22,942 undocumented migrants were referred to their diplomatic missions to obtain travel documents, 11,221 were referred to complete their travel arrangements, and 7,392 have already been deported.
Strict penalties and a call to report
The Ministry of Interior reiterated its strong warnings that anyone found to be involved in facilitating the entry of border security violators, transporting them, harboring them, or providing them with any form of assistance will face severe penalties. These penalties include imprisonment for up to 15 years, a fine of one million Saudi riyals, confiscation of vehicles and accommodations used in the crime, and public shaming of the perpetrators.
These acts are classified as major crimes warranting arrest and involving breaches of honor and integrity. Security authorities urge citizens and residents to cooperate and report any violations by calling 911 in the Makkah, Riyadh, Eastern Province, and Madinah regions, and 999 and 996 in the rest of the Kingdom.
