11,000 violators of residency and labor laws in Saudi Arabia were apprehended
Saudi security forces continue their tireless efforts to enforce order and maintain security. Recent joint field campaigns have yielded decisive results in tracking down violators of residency, labor, and border security regulations across the Kingdom. These measures are part of a comprehensive strategy aimed at eliminating negative phenomena that affect the stability and security of society.
Historic and ongoing efforts to achieve comprehensive security stability
Historically, Saudi Arabia has been a prime destination for job seekers due to its strong economy and regional and international standing. With the rise in illegal immigration and border crossings in the past, the Saudi government launched major, sustained national campaigns, such as the “A Nation Without Violators” campaign, to regulate the labor market and regularize the status of expatriates. These current field campaigns are not a recent development, but rather an extension of a well-established security approach aimed at protecting the nation’s resources and preventing the exploitation of its land for illegal activities, reflecting the Kingdom’s commitment to applying the rule of law to everyone without exception.
Results of arrests of violators of residency, labor and border security regulations
During the period from April 23 to 29, joint security field campaigns proved highly effective, resulting in the apprehension of a total of 11,300 violators. These figures included 6,244 violators of residency regulations, 3,543 violators of border security regulations, and 1,513 violators of residency and labor regulations, specifically labor regulations.
Infiltration and deportation statistics
Regarding border crossing attempts, 1,330 individuals were apprehended attempting to enter the Kingdom illegally. Of these, 43% were Yemeni, 54% Ethiopian, and 3% were of other nationalities. Additionally, 51 individuals were prevented from crossing the border out of the Kingdom. As for enforcement procedures, 29,913 undocumented migrants (27,699 men and 2,214 women) are currently undergoing legal processing. Of these, 18,601 have been referred to their respective diplomatic missions to obtain travel documents, and 14,855 have been deported.
Economic and security dimensions of combating irregular migration
Addressing the phenomena of illegal immigration and labor violations is of paramount importance and has a far-reaching positive impact. Domestically, it helps protect the national economy from commercial concealment and the informal economy, and creates a competitive and fair working environment for citizens and legal residents. Regionally and internationally, these measures strengthen efforts to combat transnational organized crime, such as human trafficking, thus reinforcing the Kingdom's role as a stabilizing force in the region and underscoring its commitment to international standards in border management.
Deterrent penalties for those who conceal wrongdoing and a call for community cooperation
The efforts were not limited to apprehending violators, but extended to those who facilitate their entry. Fourteen individuals involved in transporting, harboring, and employing violators were arrested. In this regard, the Ministry of Interior strongly warned that anyone who facilitates the entry of border security violators or provides them with shelter and assistance will face severe penalties, including imprisonment for up to 15 years, a fine of one million riyals, confiscation of vehicles and accommodations used, and public shaming of the perpetrator. These acts are classified as major crimes warranting arrest and are considered breaches of honor and integrity.
The ministry called on citizens and residents to report any violations by calling (911) in the regions of Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh and the Eastern Province, or by calling (999) and (996) in the rest of the regions of the Kingdom, stressing that maintaining security is a shared societal responsibility.
