Saudi authorities said more than 8,000 people were arrested during a week-long nationwide inspection campaign targeting residency, labor and border violations across the Kingdom.
According to the Interior Ministry, joint operations carried out between May 21 and May 27 resulted in the detention of individuals accused of violating residency regulations, border security rules and labor laws. Officials said 7,466 people were deported during the same period.
The inspections were conducted by security agencies in coordination with other government departments as part of ongoing enforcement efforts aimed at regulating the labor market and strengthening border controls.
Authorities stated that those detained included thousands accused of breaching residency regulations, alongside others linked to labor and border-related offenses. The ministry also reported arrests connected to attempted illegal border crossings into and out of the country.
Saudi Arabia said some individuals were detained for allegedly assisting violators by providing transportation, shelter or employment. Officials warned that such actions could result in prison sentences, substantial fines and the confiscation of vehicles or properties used in the offenses.
The Kingdom regularly carries out nationwide campaigns against undocumented residency and unauthorized employment, particularly as Gulf states continue tightening labor and immigration oversight amid broader economic reform programs.
Officials added that tens of thousands of expatriates are currently undergoing legal procedures linked to the latest operations. The ministry urged the public to report violations through designated emergency hotlines in different regions of the country.
The latest figures released under the campaign linked to “Saudi Arabia deports 7,466 illegal residents in a week” reflect the scale of ongoing enforcement measures targeting irregular migration and labor violations in the Kingdom.
