Over 23,000 Residency, Labor, Border Violations Recorded in One Week

The Ministry of Interior conducted inspection campaigns across the Kingdom between July 10 and July 16 to ensure compliance with residency, labor, and border security laws, resulting in 23,167 recorded violations, including 14,525 related to residency, 5,511 to border security, and 3,131 to labor laws.
 Border authorities apprehended 1,593 individuals attempting to cross into the Kingdom illegally, including 30% Yemenis, 69% Ethiopians, and 1% from other nationalities. They also arrested 41 people for attempting to leave the Kingdom illegally.
 Some 22 people involved in transporting, sheltering, and employing violators were arrested.
 A total of 16,441 expatriates, including 14,255 men and 2,186 women, are currently undergoing procedures to enforce regulations.
 Meanwhile, 8,622 individuals were detained for violating the regulations and instructed to contact their countries’ embassies or consulates to obtain proper travel documents; 3,393 were advised to make travel arrangements, and 10,587 were repatriated.
 The Ministry of Interior has warned that anyone who facilitates the illegal entry of individuals into the Kingdom, transports them within its territory, or provides them with shelter, assistance, or any other service may face penalties of up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to SAR1 million. Additionally, vehicles used for transport and properties used for shelter may be confiscated.
 The ministry stressed that such acts are major crimes that warrant arrest and urged the public to report any violations by calling 911 in Makkah, Riyadh, and Eastern Regions, or 999 and 996 in other parts of the Kingdom.