17,863 Violators of Residence, Labor, Border Security Laws Apprehended in a Week

 The Ministry of Interior conducted inspection campaigns in the Kingdom between June 26 and July 2 to ensure compliance with residency, labor, and border security laws.

 The inspections yielded the following results:

 Across the Kingdom, 17,863 violations were recorded: 10,746 of residency, 4,362 of border security, and 2,755 of labor laws.

 Attempting to cross the border into the Kingdom illegally were 1,507 individuals, of whom 33% were Yemenis, 65% Ethiopians, and 2% other nationalities; 99 people were arrested for attempting to leave the Kingdom illegally.

 Some 26 people involved in transporting, sheltering, and employing violators were arrested.

 A total of 13,362 expatriates (11,874 men and 1,488 women) are currently undergoing procedures for enforcing regulations.

 A total of 6,839 individuals were detained for violating laws and instructed to contact their countries’ embassies or consulates to obtain proper travel documentation; 2,392 were told to make booking arrangements for their departure, and 8,051 were repatriated.

 The Ministry of Interior has warned that any person who facilitates the illegal entry of individuals into the Kingdom, transports them on its territory, and provides them with shelter or any other assistance or service may be penalized with up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to SAR1 million, and that the vehicles used for transport or houses used for shelter may be confiscated.

 The ministry stressed that such acts are major crimes that warrant arrest. It also urged people to report any violations by calling 911 in Makkah, Riyadh, and Eastern regions, and 999 and 996 in the rest of the Kingdom.