The ministry of interior conducted inspection campaigns in the kingdom between october 24 to october 30 to ensure compliance with residency:he Ministry of Interior conducted inspection campaigns in the Kingdom between October 24 to October 30 to ensure compliance with residency, labor and border security laws.
According to Saudi Press Agency, the inspections yielded significant results with 21,370 violations recorded across the Kingdom. These included 12,274 violations of residency, 5,684 of border security, and 3,412 of labor laws. During these operations, 1,492 individuals were caught attempting to cross the border into the Kingdom illegally, comprising 35% Yemenis, 61% Ethiopians, and 4% from other nationalities. Additionally, 34 individuals were apprehended for attempting to leave the Kingdom illegally.
The crackdown also led to the arrest of fifteen people involved in activities such as transporting, sheltering, and employing violators. Currently, 17,543 expatriates, including 15,317 men and 2,226 wom
en, are undergoing procedures to enforce regulations. Out of these, 10,411 individuals have been detained for violating laws and have been instructed to contact their countries’ embassies or consulates to obtain the necessary travel documentation. Moreover, 2,439 individuals were directed to make booking arrangements for their departure, while 12,196 have already been repatriated.
The Ministry of Interior has issued a stern warning regarding the facilitation of illegal entry into the Kingdom. Individuals who engage in such activities, including providing transport, shelter, or any assistance to violators, face severe penalties. These penalties include up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to SAR1 million, along with the potential confiscation of vehicles and houses used in these illegal acts.
The ministry emphasized that these violations constitute major crimes warranting arrest and urged the public to report any violations. They can report by calling 911 in the Makkah, Riyadh, and Eastern regions, and
999 and 996 in the rest of the Kingdom.