A total of 20,668 illegal residents were arrested during nationwide security operations conducted from April 10 to April 16, according to an announcement by the Ministry of Interior.
The arrests were made during joint inspections carried out by security forces in cooperation with relevant government agencies. The breakdown of violations includes:
- 12,372 violators of the Residency Law
- 4,750 violators of the Border Security Law
- 3,566 violators of the Labor Law
Authorities also detained 1,264 individuals attempting to illegally cross into the Kingdom. Among them, 36% were Yemeni nationals, 61% Ethiopian, and 3% from other nationalities. An additional 93 individuals were arrested for trying to exit Saudi Arabia illegally.
Currently, 32,417 violators—including 30,038 men and 2,379 women—are undergoing legal procedures. This includes:
- 24,811 referred to diplomatic missions to obtain travel documents
- 2,936 completing travel bookings
- 12,235 already deported
Additionally, 27 individuals were arrested for providing transport, shelter, or employment to violators.
The Ministry issued a stern warning that facilitating illegal entry, transport, or shelter of undocumented residents is punishable by up to 15 years in prison, fines of up to SR1 million, and confiscation of vehicles and property used in such activities.
Citizens and residents are encouraged to report violations by calling 911 in Makkah, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province, and 999 or 996 in other regions.
