Saudi authorities have arrested more than 23,000 expatriates for violating residency, labor, and border security laws, according to a report by the Gulf News, citing a statement from Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior on Sunday.
The report states that between December 19 and 25, a total of 23,194 expatriates were arrested across various parts of Saudi Arabia in extensive security operations. These arrests were made as part of nationwide security campaigns conducted by joint efforts of the country’s security forces and government agencies.
According to the Ministry of Interior, among those arrested, 13,083 were detained for violating residency laws, 6,210 for breaching border security laws, and 3,901 for labor law violations.
Additionally, 1,536 individuals were apprehended while attempting to enter Saudi Arabia illegally, the majority being Yemeni and Ethiopian nationals. The Ministry revealed that 41% of these detainees were Yemeni, 57% Ethiopian, and the remaining 2% were from other countries. Moreover, 68 expatriates were arrested while trying to leave Saudi Arabia unlawfully.
During the same period, 23 residents of Saudi Arabia were arrested for providing transportation and shelter to violators of residency and labor laws. Legal proceedings are currently underway against 31,139 expatriates, of whom 28,605 are men and 2,534 are women.
Out of those arrested, 21,843 individuals have been sent to their respective diplomatic missions to obtain necessary travel documents for deportation. Furthermore, final arrangements have been made for the deportation of an additional 4,025 individuals. As of now, 9,904 expatriates have already been deported from Saudi Arabia.
The Ministry reiterated the severe penalties for those attempting to enter Saudi Arabia illegally, which include up to 15 years of imprisonment and a fine of 1 million Saudi Riyals. It continues to issue warnings against violations of the country’s laws.
Saudi Arabia, home to approximately 34.8 million people, employs millions of migrant workers from various countries. Local media frequently report on continuous crackdowns and arrests of illegal expatriates across the country.