Riyadh: In a recent series of inspection campaigns conducted across Saudi Arabia, the Ministry of Interior recorded a total of 20,882 violations related to residency, labor, and border security laws between August 28 and September 3. The violations were categorized as 12,975 related to residency, 4,185 to border security, and 3,722 to labor laws.

According to Saudi Press Agency, border authorities detained 1,244 individuals attempting to enter the Kingdom illegally. Of these, 33% were identified as Yemenis, 66% as Ethiopians, and the remaining 1% from other nationalities. Additionally, 21 individuals were arrested for attempting to exit the Kingdom unlawfully.

The Ministry's efforts also led to the arrest of 20 individuals involved in transporting, sheltering, and employing violators. Currently, 29,571 expatriates, comprising 26,779 men and 2,792 women, are undergoing procedures to enforce regulations.

Further measures included the detention of 22,550 individuals for regulatory violations, who were instructed to contact their respective embassies or consulates to secure appropriate travel documents. Of these, 2,394 individuals were advised to arrange travel plans, and 10,895 were successfully repatriated.

The Ministry of Interior issued a stern warning against facilitating illegal entry into the Kingdom. Individuals found guilty of such acts could face penalties of up to 15 years in prison and fines reaching SAR1 million. Moreover, vehicles used in transportation and properties used for shelter may be subject to confiscation.

The ministry underscored that these actions are considered major crimes warranting arrest and encouraged the public to report violations by contacting 911 in Makkah, Riyadh, and Eastern regions, or 999 and 996 in other areas of the Kingdom.