Over 14,000 violators of residency, labor, and border laws arrested in one week

Joint field campaigns to monitor and apprehend violators of residency, labor, and border security regulations were conducted across all regions of the Kingdom from August 6 to 12, 2026 (corresponding to 23–29 Safar 1448H), resulting in the following outcomes:

First: A total of 14,542 violators were apprehended in the joint security campaigns throughout the Kingdom, including 7,216 for residency violations, 3,843 for border security violations, and 3,483 for labor law violations.

Second: Authorities detained 1,457 individuals attempting to cross into the Kingdom illegally—32% of Yemeni nationality, 67% Ethiopian, and 1% of other nationalities. Additionally, 19 people were caught attempting to leave the Kingdom illegally.

Third: Twenty-two individuals were arrested for involvement in transporting, harboring, employing, or concealing violators of residency, labor, and border regulations.

Fourth: Currently, 32,479 violators are undergoing procedures for implementing the regulations, including 30,540 men and 1,939 women.

Fifth: A total of 18,818 violators were referred to their diplomatic missions to obtain travel documents, 6,355 were referred to complete travel bookings, and 12,945 were deported.

The Ministry of Interior stressed that anyone facilitating the entry, transport, shelter, or assistance of border security violators within the Kingdom faces penalties of up to 15 years in prison, fines of up to SAR 1 million, confiscation of vehicles and accommodation used for sheltering, and public naming. The ministry emphasized that this offense is considered a major crime warranting arrest and is deemed dishonorable and untrustworthy. The public is urged to report violations by calling 911 in Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province, or 999 and 996 in other regions.