Riyadh, May 11, 2024 – The Ministry of Interior conducted inspection campaigns across the Kingdom from May 2 to May 8, 2024, to verify adherence to regulations regarding residency, employment, and border security. The following outcomes were obtained:
19,710 infractions were noted throughout the Kingdom: 2,572 labor laws, 4,177 border security, and 12,961 residency violations.
46 people were arrested for trying to enter the Kingdom illegally out of 979 attempts to enter it, of which 43% were Yemenis, 54% were Ethiopians, and 3% were people of other nationalities.
Twelve persons who were involved in hiring, housing, or transporting offenders were taken into custody.
49,407 foreign nationals, comprising 46,342 men and 3,065 women, are presently undergoing procedures in order to enforce regulations.
Those in custody for breaking the law requirements, 3,016 were told to finish making travel reservations, 40,391 were told to get in touch with their nation's embassy or consulate to obtain the necessary paperwork, and 13,383 were repatriated.
The Ministry of Interior has issued a warning, stating that anyone caught aiding in someone's illegal entry into the Kingdom, transporting them within its borders, offering them shelter, or providing any other form of support or service faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison and a fine of up to SAR1 million. Additionally, any vehicles used for transportation or housing that is used for sheltering could be seized.
Such actions are serious crimes that call for arrests, the ministry emphasized.
Additionally, it exhorts people to report any violations in Makkah by dialing 911 Riyadh, and Eastern regions, and 999 and 996 in the rest of the Kingdom.
