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Saudi authorities have arrested 13,357 people for violating residency, labour and border security laws over the course of one week, while 8,875 illegal residents have been deported.
Riyadh: Saudi authorities have arrested 13,357 people for violating residency, labour and border security laws over the course of one week, while 8,875 illegal residents have been deported. According to a private television channel, a total of 6,880 people were arrested for violating residency regulations, 3,500 for attempting to cross the border illegally and 2,977 for violating labour laws between October 22 and 28, 2026. Reports indicate that 1,446 people were detained for attempting to enter the Kingdom illegally. In addition, another 37 individuals were arrested while attempting to cross the border from Saudi Arabia into neighbouring countries.
Authorities also detained 12 people for their involvement in transporting, accommodating, employing or providing shelter to illegal residents. It is worth noting that providing illegal residents in Saudi Arabia with transportation, accommodation or employment facilities is a criminal offence under the country's law, with various strict penalties prescribed for such violations. According to the Saudi Ministry of Interior, anyone who facilitates the entry of illegal residents into the Kingdom could face up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to one million Saudi riyals. Their vehicles and properties may also be confiscated.
