Over 11,700 Expats Deported from Saudi Arabia in One Week Following Crackdown

Riyadh: Saudi authorities deported 11,763 expatriates from the Kingdom in the span of a single week for violating various laws. During the same period, 14,987 new offenders were arrested in a nationwide crackdown.

The arrests, carried out between May 8 and May 14, were the result of joint raids led by the Ministry of Interior in coordination with various security agencies and government departments.

Of those arrested:

• 9,212 were in violation of residency laws
• 3,502 breached border security regulations
• 1,873 violated labor laws

In addition to the deportations, authorities reported that:

• 17,567 individuals were referred to their respective embassies to process travel documents
• 1,349 people are currently completing exit procedures

Among the 1,268 individuals arrested while attempting to cross the border illegally:

• 62% were Ethiopian nationals
• 35% were Yemeni nationals
• The remaining 3% were from other nationalities

The Ministry also arrested 23 individuals who were found to have aided violators by providing them with transportation, accommodation, or employment.

Currently, 23,318 people — including 22,263 men and 1,055 women — are undergoing legal procedures related to their illegal stay.

The Interior Ministry warned that those who assist illegal migrants in any way—such as facilitating entry, providing shelter, or offering transportation—may face up to 15 years in prison, a fine of up to 1 million Saudi Riyals, and confiscation of the vehicles or properties used in such activities.

Authorities urged the public to report violations by calling 911 in Makkah, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province, and 999 or 996 in other regions of the Kingdom.