Saudi Arabia Arrests Over 20,000 for Residency, Border, and Labour Violations in Nationwide Crackdown

Saudi Arabia Arrests Over 20,000 for Residency, Border, and Labour Violations in Nationwide Crackdown

Saudi Arabian authorities have arrested 20,718 individuals in a large-scale crackdown on residency, border security, and labour law violations, according to a statement from the Ministry of Interior.

The arrests were made between August 22 and August 28 as part of coordinated security operations across the kingdom, involving multiple government agencies and security forces.

The breakdown of arrests includes 13,248 individuals for violating residency laws, 4,688 for border security infractions, and 2,782 for breaching labour regulations. Among those detained were 744 individuals caught attempting to cross the border illegally, with 37% of them identified as Yemeni nationals, 62% as Ethiopians, and 1% from other nationalities.

In addition, 69 people were apprehended while attempting to leave the country unlawfully, and 16 individuals were arrested for facilitating illegal activities, including transporting, sheltering, or employing individuals without proper documentation.

Currently, 14,634 expatriates — 13,532 men and 1,102 women — are undergoing legal proceedings as part of the nationwide crackdown. Of the total, 5,361 violators have been directed to obtain travel documents from their diplomatic missions, 1,982 have been instructed to finalize travel arrangements, and 12,410 have been deported.

The Ministry of Interior has issued a stern warning against aiding illegal activities, noting that violators could face up to 15 years in prison, fines of up to SR1 million, and confiscation of vehicles and properties used in such activities. The crackdown is part of ongoing efforts to enforce Saudi Arabia’s residency and labour regulations.