RIYADH, August 2, 2025 , In a major enforcement drive, Saudi authorities arrested 22,147 individuals in a seven‑day period for violations of residency, labor, and border security regulations, the Saudi Press Agency confirmed.
Out of those detained, 13,835 were accused of breaching residency laws, 4,772 for attempting illegal border crossings, and 3,540 for violating labor regulations.
Within the group of 1,816 individuals arrested for illicit entry into Saudi Arabia, 62 percent were Ethiopian, 36 percent Yemeni, and the remaining 2 percent were from other nationalities. Additionally, 34 individuals were intercepted trying to exit the country into neighboring territories, and another 20 suspects were taken into custody for providing transportation or shelter to migrants.
The Ministry of Interior reiterated the severity of penalties for trafficking or aiding illegal entry, including imprisonment of up to 15 years, fines reaching SR 1 million (approx. US $267,000), and seizure of vehicles or property.
Authorities also encouraged public cooperation by reporting suspected violations via toll‑free hotlines: 911 in the Makkah and Riyadh regions, and 999 or 996 across other parts of the Kingdom.
This operation reflects Saudi Arabia’s intensified crackdown on unauthorized migration flows and unregistered labor, aligning with broader national objectives of enforcing legal labor frameworks and protecting borders. Monitoring and enforcement efforts are being conducted under established national security protocols, as part of an ongoing campaign to regulate residency and employment compliance amid changing socio‑economic dynamics.
