Saudi Arabia has rounded up 22,094 illegal foreigners in one week in a security clampdown targeting violators of the kingdom’s residency, labor, and border security laws and deported thousands of others.
The arrests were made in nationwide campaigns over the period of 26 September - 2 October, according to the Interior Ministry.
The figure comprised 13,731 violators of the kingdom’s residency rules, 4,873 for infringing the border security system, and 3,490 others for breaching labor laws.
A total of 13,979 illegals, including 1,369 women, are currently being subjected to disciplinary measures, according to the ministry’s weekly update.
Moreover, 6,683 others have been referred to their respective diplomatic missions to obtain travel documents ahead of deportation while 2,461 more violators are completing their travel reservations.
Authorities have deported 10,943 more violators.
Twenty-three persons were, meanwhile, arrested for involvement in transporting, sheltering, and employing violators of the kingdom’s residency, border, and work regulations.
The Interior Ministry has repeatedly warned that those who facilitate the entry of infiltrators into the kingdom or provide them with transportation, shelter, or any sort of assistance face penalties of a maximum of 15 years in prison, and a fine of up to SR1 million, besides confiscating the transport and the accommodation means.
Saudi Arabia, a country of around 32.2 million people, hosts a large community of expatriate workers.
Authorities there are pursuing a security crackdown, dubbed “A country without a violator” targeting irregular expatriates. The Interior Ministry issues weekly updates on the arrests and deportations.
