Saudi Arabia detains 14,260 for residency and border violations

Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Interior reported that joint security field campaigns conducted across the Kingdom between August 13 and August 19, 2026, resulted in the apprehension of 14,260 individuals for violating residency, labor, and border security regulations.

The breakdown of those detained includes 6,900 violators of residency laws, 3,982 violators of border security regulations, and 3,378 violators of labor laws. Additionally, 1,524 people were caught attempting to enter the country illegally, consisting of 63% Ethiopians and 36% Yemenis. Authorities also detained 24 individuals involved in transporting, sheltering, or concealing violators.

As part of the enforcement process, 13,724 violators were deported, while 18,808 were referred to their respective diplomatic missions to obtain travel documents. The Ministry warned that anyone facilitating the illegal entry, transport, or sheltering of border security violators faces 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 crime.