11,952 violators of residency, labor and border security laws arrested in a week
Ministry of Interior reports joint inspections from November 5 to 11, with thousands deported and referred for travel documents
Quick Look
Saudi security forces arrested 11,952 illegal residents between November 5 and 11, including 6,163 residency law violators, 3,225 border security law violators, and 2,564 labor law violators; 11,418 were deported and 15 facilitators were arrested.
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Why It Matters
Saudi security forces conducted joint inspections with relevant government agencies between November 5 and 11 to enforce residency, border security, and labor laws.
RIYADH — Saudi security forces arrested a total of 11,952 illegal residents in a week. The arrests were made in joint inspections, carried out in cooperation with the relevant government agencies, during the period between November 5 and 11, the Ministry of Interior announced on Saturday. Those who were arrested include 6,163 violators of the Residency Law, 3,225 violators of the Border Security Law, and 2,564 violators of the Labor Law.
The total number of people who were arrested while trying to cross the border into the Kingdom accounted for 1,653. About 29 people were arrested while attempting to leave the Kingdom illegally. A total of 11,418 illegal residents were deported while 22,451 violators were referred to their diplomatic missions to obtain travel documents and 9,800 violators were referred to complete their travel reservations. Fifteen persons, who were involved in giving transportation, shelter, and employment for violators, were also arrested. A total of 40,762 expatriates, including 38,383 men and 2,379 women, are currently undergoing procedures to enforce legal measures for their violations.
The Ministry of Interior has warned that any person, who facilitates the illegal entry of individuals into the Kingdom, transports them on its territory, provides them with shelter or any other assistance or service, will be penalized with up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to SR1 million, and that the vehicles used for transportation or houses used for giving shelter will be confiscated.
The ministry urged the public to report any cases of violation by calling the number 911 in the regions of Makkah, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province and the numbers 999 and 996 in the rest of the Kingdom’s regions.
Open Questions
- What specific nationalities were among those arrested?
- What is the total number of illegal residents currently in Saudi Arabia?
- How many of the 15 facilitators were citizens versus expatriates?
