Riyadh Crackdown Results in Thousands of Arrests for Residency and Labor Violations
In a series of coordinated field campaigns conducted across Saudi Arabia from June 27 to July 3, a total of 16,565 individuals were apprehended for breaching residency and labor laws.
Breakdown of Violations
Among those arrested, 9,969 were found to be in violation of residency laws, while 4,676 were caught breaking border-security regulations, and 1,920 were found to be in violation of labor laws.
Nationalities of Violators
Of the 1,244 individuals attempting to enter the Kingdom illegally, 37 percent were Yemeni, 60 percent were Ethiopian, and the remaining 3 percent belonged to other nationalities. In addition, 63 individuals were intercepted while trying to leave the Kingdom unlawfully.
Crackdown on Facilitators
Authorities apprehended three individuals involved in transporting, harboring, and employing violators, as well as aiding in covering up their illegal activities.
Enforcement and Deportation
Currently, a total of 20,780 violators—consisting of 19,396 men and 1,384 women—are undergoing processing by relevant authorities. Of these, 12,219 have been directed to seek assistance from their respective diplomatic missions for travel documents. Furthermore, 2,931 violators have been instructed to make necessary travel arrangements, while 9,663 have already been deported.