Saudi Arabia Expels Over 13,000 Unlawful Residents in One-Week Crackdown

Saudi authorities arrested 14,260 illegal residents and deported 13,724 in a single week during joint enforcement drives. Over 31,000 individuals face legal action for residency, labor, and border violations, while aiding unlawful residents carries penalties of up to 15 years in prison.

WORLD NEWS

Aagahi Hub

8/23/20262 min read

Saudi security officials standing near patrol vehicles during a nationwide enforcement operation rep
Saudi security officials standing near patrol vehicles during a nationwide enforcement operation rep

In a massive push to enforce local laws, security agencies in Saudi Arabia arrested 14,260 unauthorized individuals in just seven days. During joint inspection drives carried out across the country between August 13 and August 19, authorities also deported 13,724 foreign nationals who were living or working without valid permits.

The nationwide enforcement operation was managed by the Saudi Ministry of Interior in partnership with key government bodies to tackle breaches of labor and immigration rules.

Breakdown of Arrests and Violations

The Ministry revealed that thousands of individuals were taken into custody across three main categories:

  • Residency Violators: 6,900 individuals breaching standard residency rules.

  • Border Safety Violators: 3,982 persons caught for unlawful entry or border security offenses.

  • Labor Law Violators: 3,378 people working without proper authorization or outside employment permits.

In addition, 1,524 individuals were caught trying to cross the border into Saudi Arabia illegally. The vast majority of those attempting illegal entry were Ethiopian nationals (63%) and Yemeni nationals (36%), with 1% belonging to other countries. Another 38 individuals were arrested while trying to exit the country through unauthorized routes, and 24 people were detained for helping violators with transportation, housing, or job opportunities.

Legal Proceedings and Repatriation Steps

To send undocumented residents back to their home countries smoothly, authorities initiated immediate legal and diplomatic actions:

  • 18,808 individuals were referred to their respective diplomatic missions to receive travel documents.

  • 5,386 people were instructed to finish their travel bookings for departure.

  • 31,922 foreign nationals (29,961 men and 1,961 women) are currently undergoing active legal processing under enforcement procedures.

Strict Penalties for Facilitators and Public Reporting

The Saudi Ministry of Interior issued a strong warning to citizens and legal residents against helping undocumented workers. Providing shelter, jobs, or transport to illegal residents can lead to up to 15 years in prison and fines reaching up to 1 million Saudi Riyals (SR). Vehicles and properties used to support violators are also subject to government seizure.

The government urged the public to report any illegal activities immediately:

  • In Makkah, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province: Call 911.

  • In all other regions of the Kingdom: Call 999 or 996.

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