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In a massive effort to maintain law and order, Saudi Arabia has arrested over 20,000 individuals in a single week, cracking down on residency, labor, and security breaches across the Kingdom.

The Inspection Campaigns: A Week of Intensive Checks

From July 4 to July 10, 2024, the Saudi authorities carried out inspection campaigns in all regions of the Kingdom to enforce compliance with residency, work, and border security regulations. The results were staggering, with a total of 20,093 violations recorded, including:

• 12,460 residency violations
• 5,400 border security violations
• 2,233 labor law violations

The Arrests: A Breakdown

• 1,737 individuals attempted to cross the border into the Kingdom illegally, with 42% being Yemenis, 57% Ethiopians, and 1% of other nationalities.
• 49 people were arrested for attempting to leave the Kingdom illegally.
• 16 individuals involved in transporting, sheltering, and employing violators were arrested.

The Consequences: Deportation and Penalties

• A total of 19,841 expatriates (18,209 men and 1,632 women) are currently undergoing procedures for enforcing regulations.
• 9,438 people were detained for violating laws and instructed to contact their countries’ embassies or consulates to obtain proper travel documentation.
• 3,833 were told to complete booking arrangements for their departure, and 11,655 were repatriated.

The Warning: Harsh Penalties Ahead

The Ministry of Interior has warned that any person who facilitates the illegal entry of individuals into the Kingdom, transports them on its territory, provides them shelter, or any other assistance or service may be penalized with:

• Up to 15 years in prison
• A fine of up to SR1m ($267,000)
• Impoundment of vehicles used for transport or houses used for shelter

The ministry stressed that such acts are major crimes that warrant arrest. It also urges people to report any violations by calling 911 in the Makkah, Riyadh, and Eastern regions, and 999 and 996 in the rest of Saudi Arabia.

This crackdown on residency, labor, and security breaches sends a strong message to those who dare to flout the law in Saudi Arabia. The authorities are committed to maintaining the safety and security of the Kingdom, and those who violate the rules will face the consequences.