Saudi Crackdown On 21,505 Residency And Labor Law Violators Reported

The Ministry of Interior has recently disclosed the outcomes of its rigorous campaigns against individuals infringing upon residency, labor, and border security regulations across all regions of the Kingdom. These operations, conducted from March 28 onwards, have led to significant findings.

A total of 21,505 violators were identified during this period. The breakdown of these violations includes 14,323 individuals who breached the Residency Law, 4,778 who violated the Border Security Law, and 2,404 who went against the Labor Law. These figures highlight the extensive efforts undertaken by the authorities to enforce compliance with the nation's laws.

Among those apprehended for attempting to cross into the Kingdom illegally were 1,295 individuals. A detailed analysis of their nationalities reveals that 37% were Yemenis, 61% Ethiopians, and a small fraction of 2% comprised other nationalities. Additionally, 61 individuals were caught trying to exit the country unlawfully.

The crackdown also extended to those aiding and abetting these violations. Nine individuals were arrested for their involvement in transporting, sheltering, employing, and concealing violators of the aforementioned laws.

Currently, there are 61,301 expatriates undergoing procedures related to the enforcement of these regulations. Of these, a majority of 57,013 are men and 4,288 are women. The Ministry has taken further steps by referring 54,169 violators to their respective diplomatic missions for obtaining travel documents. Meanwhile, 1,666 have been directed to finalize their travel reservations and 7,423 have been deported.

The Ministry of Interior has issued a stern warning against anyone facilitating illegal entry into the Kingdom or assisting such individuals through transportation, sheltering or any other means. Violators face severe penalties including up to 15 years in prison and fines reaching SAR1 million. These acts are classified as major crimes warranting arrest.

To bolster community involvement in maintaining security and law enforcement, the Ministry urges citizens and residents to report any suspected violations. Reports can be made by calling 911 in Makkah, Riyadh, and Eastern regions or 999 and 996 in other parts of the Kingdom.

This comprehensive report underscores the Kingdom's unwavering commitment to upholding its laws and ensuring the security and well-being of its communities. Through these sustained efforts, Saudi Arabia continues to safeguard its borders and maintain a lawful environment within its territories.

With inputs from SPA