Ministry of Interior Detains Over 15,000 Violators of Residency, Labor, and Border Security Regulations in One Week

The Ministry of Interior has revealed the results of joint field campaigns aimed at monitoring and apprehending violators of residency, labor, and border security regulations. These campaigns were conducted across all regions of the Kingdom from 10 to 16 Muharram 1448 AH, corresponding to June 25 to July 1, 2026.

Firstly: Apprehended Violators

The total number of violators apprehended during the joint security campaigns across all regions of the Kingdom amounted to 15,591, distributed as follows:

- 7,759 violators of the residency system.

- 4,488 violators of the border security system.

- 3,344 violators of the labor system.

Secondly: Border Violators

A total of 1,629 individuals were apprehended while attempting to cross the border into the Kingdom illegally. Their nationalities were distributed as follows: 53% Ethiopians, 46% Yemenis, and 1% from other nationalities. Additionally, 58 individuals were apprehended while attempting to cross the border out of the Kingdom illegally.

Thirdly: Facilitators of Violations

Seventeen individuals were apprehended for their involvement in transporting, harboring, employing, and concealing violators of residency, labor, and border security regulations.

Fourthly: Implementation of Regulations

A total of 27,445 violators are currently undergoing procedures for implementing the regulations, including 25,412 men and 2,033 women. A total of 16,912 violators have been referred to their diplomatic missions to obtain travel documents, 4,174 violators have been referred to complete their travel bookings, and 12,292 violators have been deported.

Ministry of Interior Warning

The Ministry of Interior emphasized that anyone who facilitates the entry of border security violators into the Kingdom, transports them within it, provides them with shelter, or offers any assistance or service to them in any form, exposes themselves to penalties of up to 15 years in prison, a fine of one million riyals, confiscation of the means of transport and housing used for sheltering, in addition to defamation.

The ministry explained that this crime is classified as a major offense warranting arrest and is considered dishonorable and a breach of trust. It urged citizens and residents to report any violations via the number 911 in the regions of Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province, and the numbers 999 and 996 in the rest of the Kingdom, assuring that all reports will be handled with complete confidentiality.