21,000 violators of residency and border regulations were apprehended in Saudi Arabia
The Saudi Ministry of Interior announced the results of its ongoing joint field campaigns across the Kingdom, aimed at enhancing security and apprehending violators of residency, labor, and border security regulations. These campaigns are part of the Kingdom's ongoing efforts to regulate the labor market and protect border security, reflecting the state's strategy of firmly addressing all forms of regulatory and security violations.
Details of field seizures
Official statistics from the campaigns conducted between February 5th and 11th revealed that (21,029) violators were apprehended across various regions of the Kingdom. These violations were distributed as follows:
- The residency system: accounted for the largest percentage of violations, with (12,875) violators being apprehended.
- Border security system: (4,778) violators were apprehended.
- Work system: (3,376) violators were identified and apprehended.
Border security and infiltration attempts
In a related context, regarding border security efforts, reports indicate that security forces apprehended 2,307 individuals attempting to cross the border into the Kingdom illegally. Yemeni nationals comprised 47% of those arrested, followed by Ethiopian nationals at 52%, while the remaining 1% were distributed among other nationalities. Additionally, 75 individuals were apprehended while attempting to leave the Kingdom illegally.
Legal procedures and deportation
A large number of undocumented migrants are currently undergoing procedures to enforce the regulations, with a total of 23,312 individuals being processed, including 22,040 men and 1,272 women. The relevant authorities have taken practical steps to resolve their situations, including:
- (16,121) violators were referred to their diplomatic missions to obtain travel documents.
- (2,270) violators were referred to complete their travel bookings.
- The deportation order was carried out against (13,213) violators.
Security context and economic impact
These campaigns are of paramount importance, transcending mere statistics; they are an integral part of the Kingdom's vision to enhance internal security and regulate the economic environment. Enforcing labor laws contributes to providing legitimate employment opportunities and protecting both employers and employees from illegal practices. Furthermore, strengthening border security is a cornerstone of national security and prevents the entry of elements that could pose a threat to society.
Stern warnings and severe penalties
The Ministry of Interior has reiterated its strong warnings to anyone who facilitates the entry of infiltrators or provides them with shelter, transportation, or any other form of assistance. The Ministry emphasized that these actions constitute serious crimes warranting arrest and are considered breaches of honor and integrity, with penalties reaching:
- Imprisonment for up to 15 years.
- A financial penalty of up to one million riyals.
- Confiscation of the means of transport and the accommodation used for sheltering.
- Defaming those who disagree.
The ministry called on everyone to cooperate and report any violations via the official numbers (911) in the regions of Makkah, Riyadh and the Eastern Province, and (999) and (996) in the rest of the regions of the Kingdom.
