Saudi Arabia detains 13,628 for residency and border violations

Saudi Arabian authorities have apprehended 13,628 individuals for violating residency, labor, and border security regulations during a week-long series of joint field campaigns conducted across the Kingdom. The crackdown, spanning from September 17 to September 23, 2026, resulted in the detention of 6,593 residency violators, 3,531 border security violators, and 3,504 labor law violators.

Regarding border crossings, 1,197 individuals were caught attempting to enter the country illegally, consisting of 63% Ethiopian nationals and 36% Yemeni nationals. Additionally, 27 people were detained for attempting to exit the country through unauthorized channels. The operations also led to the arrest of 22 individuals involved in the transport, housing, or operation of violators.

As part of the enforcement process, 12,628 violators were deported, while 18,549 were referred to their respective diplomatic missions to obtain travel documents. The Ministry of Interior emphasized that facilitating the illegal entry or movement of border security violators carries severe penalties, including up to 15 years in prison, fines of up to one million riyals, and the confiscation of vehicles or housing used in the commission of the crime.