Saudi Arabian authorities have arrested over 20,000 expatriates in a week for violating residency, labor, and border security laws. The country’s Ministry of Interior announced the news, as reported by UAE-based English daily Gulf News.
From February 27 to March 5, a total of 20,749 expatriates were detained across Saudi Arabia during a widespread security operation. Of those arrested, 13,871 were for residency violations, 3,517 for border security violations, and 3,361 for labor law infractions. The joint operation involved various security forces and government agencies.
The ministry also reported that 1,051 people were apprehended while attempting to enter Saudi Arabia illegally, with 54% being Ethiopian, 43% Yemeni, and 3% from other nationalities. Additionally, 90 individuals were arrested for trying to leave the country illegally.
During the same period, 12 residents were detained for transporting and sheltering residency and labor law violators. Legal action is ongoing against 40,173 expatriates, including 35,862 men and 4,311 women.
Authorities are working to repatriate 32,375 detainees by coordinating with their respective diplomatic missions to arrange travel documents. The deportation process for another 2,576 individuals is being finalized, while 10,024 expatriates have already been repatriated.
Saudi Arabia imposes harsh penalties for aiding illegal border crossings, including up to 15 years in prison and a fine of 1 million Saudi Riyals. The Ministry of Interior continues to warn against such illegal activities.