Saudi Authorities Arrest Over 22,000 Illegal Residents in Nationwide Raids

The Saudi Ministry of Interior announced on Saturday that security forces had arrested 22,094 illegal residents during inspection raids conducted across various regions of the Kingdom last week. The arrests were made between September 26 and October 2, as part of ongoing efforts to combat violations of residency, labor, and border security laws.

According to the ministry, the detainees include 13,731 individuals in violation of the Residency Law, 4,873 violators of the Border Security Law, and 3,490 violators of the Labor Law. These raids are part of a broader campaign to strengthen law enforcement and maintain public order within the country.

The ministry also disclosed that 1,337 individuals were apprehended while attempting to cross the border illegally into Saudi Arabia. Of these, 44% were Yemeni nationals, 53% were Ethiopian nationals, and the remaining 3% were from other nationalities. Additionally, 37 people were arrested for attempting to leave the Kingdom illegally.

In addition to those arrested for residency and border violations, 23 individuals were detained for facilitating illegal entry, including those involved in transporting, sheltering, or employing violators. These offenders are now facing legal proceedings, with severe penalties awaiting those found guilty.

Currently, 13,979 expatriates are undergoing various stages of legal procedures as part of the punitive measures enforced against them. The Ministry of Interior stated that 6,683 violators have been referred to their respective diplomatic missions to obtain necessary travel documents. Meanwhile, 2,461 individuals are in the process of completing their travel reservations, and 10,943 violators have already been deported.

The Ministry of Interior has reiterated its firm stance on illegal residency, warning that anyone found facilitating the unlawful entry, transport, or shelter of individuals could face severe consequences. These penalties include up to 15 years in prison, fines of up to SR1 million, and the confiscation of vehicles and properties used in committing these offenses.

The ministry urged the public to report any cases of residency violations by contacting the designated hotlines: 911 for Makkah, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province, and 999 or 996 for other regions across the Kingdom. The ministry emphasized that public cooperation plays a vital role in upholding the law and ensuring national security.