Saudi Arabia has launched a massive crackdown on illegal migrants, arresting more than 21,000 individuals in a week.
According to a report by Gulf News on Monday, January 20, the Saudi Interior Ministry announced that a coordinated joint operation with various government agencies was conducted. This operation led to the arrest of 21,485 illegal migrants across the country last week.
The report stated that the arrests occurred between January 9 and January 15. Among the detainees, 13,562 were accused of violating residency laws, 4,853 for breaching border security regulations, and 3,070 for contravening labor laws.
Gulf News further reported that 1,568 individuals were apprehended while attempting to illegally enter the country. Among them, 47% were Yemeni nationals, 50% Ethiopian, and 3% from other nationalities. Additionally, 64 individuals were arrested for trying to leave the country illegally.
Around 16 people were detained for facilitating illegal activities, including transportation, sheltering, and employing violators of the law. Currently, 33,007 individuals are undergoing legal proceedings as part of punitive measures, including 30,335 men and 2,672 women.
The ministry also revealed that 25,164 violators were sent to their diplomatic missions to obtain travel documents. Furthermore, 2,864 individuals are being processed for travel arrangements, and 11,955 have been deported.
According to Saudi law, aiding illegal entry can result in up to 15 years of imprisonment and a fine of 1 million Saudi Riyals. The government has urged everyone to comply with these laws and warned of strict action against illegal migrants.
Currently, Saudi Arabia is home to approximately 34.8 million people, with millions of migrant workers employed in the country from various parts of the world.
Local media regularly reports on the arrest of lawbreakers and illegal residents, reflecting the effectiveness of Saudi Arabia’s security measures and the government’s firm stance on the issue.
Additionally, Saudi authorities have set up a government helpline to report law violators. Residents of Mecca, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province can call 911, while those in other regions can dial 999 or 996 to provide information.
