Over 21,600 Residency, Labor, Border Violations Recorded in One Week

In inspection campaigns across Saudi Arabia between October 23 and 29 to ensure compliance with residency, labor, and border security laws, the Ministry of Interior recorded 21,651 violations, including 12,745 related to residency, 4,577 to border security, and 4,329 to labor laws.
 Border authorities apprehended 1,689 individuals attempting to cross into the Kingdom illegally, including 46% Yemenis, 53% Ethiopians, and 1% from other nationalities. They also arrested 59 people for attempting to leave the Kingdom illegally.
 A total of 21 people involved in transporting, sheltering, and employing violators were arrested.
 A total of 31,826 expatriates, including 30,151 men and 1,675 women, are currently undergoing procedures to enforce regulations.
 Meanwhile, 21,980 individuals were detained for violating the regulations and were instructed to contact their countries’ embassies or consulates to obtain proper travel documents. In addition, 5,010 were advised to make travel arrangements, and 13,279 were repatriated.
 The Ministry of Interior warned that anyone who facilitates the illegal entry of individuals into the Kingdom, transports them within its territory, or provides them with shelter, assistance, or other service may face penalties of up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to SAR1 million. Vehicles used for transport and properties used for shelter may also be confiscated.
 The ministry emphasized that such acts constitute major crimes that warrant arrest and urged the public to report any violations by calling 911 in Makkah, Riyadh, and Eastern regions, or 999 and 996 in other parts of the Kingdom.