RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — In an intensive week-long security operation, Saudi authorities have arrested 11,967 individuals across the Kingdom for various violations of residency, labor, and border security laws. The sweep, conducted between March 19 and March 25, 2026, marks the latest phase of the Ministry of Interior’s aggressive campaign to regulate the national labor market and bolster border integrity.
The joint field campaigns, which involved multiple government agencies and security forces, focused on identifying undocumented workers and those bypassing official entry points.
According to official data released by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) on Saturday, the operation led to the detention of 7,650 individuals for residency law breaches, while 2,952 people were held for attempting to cross the border illegally.
Furthermore, 1,365 individuals were cited for labor violations, including working without valid permits or in unauthorized sectors.
The crackdown also targeted illegal entry attempts at the Kingdom's frontiers. Authorities apprehended 1,140 individuals trying to enter Saudi Arabia unlawfully. Data reveals that the majority of those intercepted were Ethiopian (71%) and Yemeni (26%) nationals, with the remaining 3% hailing from various other countries. Additionally, 42 individuals were arrested while attempting to flee the Kingdom illegally across its borders.
The Ministry of Interior issued a stern warning to both citizens and residents regarding the legal consequences of assisting undocumented individuals.
"Anyone who facilitates the illegal entry of individuals, transports them within the territory, or provides them with shelter or any form of assistance may face up to 15 years in prison," the Ministry stated. In addition to lengthy prison sentences, facilitators face fines of up to SR1 million ($267,000), while any vehicles used for transport or properties used for shelter are subject to immediate confiscation.
Currently, over 32,000 expatriates (roughly 29,000 men and 3,000 women) are undergoing legal procedures to enforce the regulations. Authorities have already repatriated 5,111 individuals during this reporting period, while thousands of others have been instructed to contact their respective embassies to finalize travel documents for deportation.
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