Saudi Arabia arrests over 15,000 migrants

Saudi Arabian security forces have arrested more than 15,000 migrants in a week-long nationwide crackdown for violating residency, labour and border security regulations, the Saudi Interior Ministry said in a statement on Sunday.

According to a ministry statement, a total of 15,288 migrants were detained during joint inspection campaigns carried out by various government agencies between 11 and 17 June.

Of those arrested, 7,864 were accused of violating residency laws, 4,576 were detained for breaching border security regulations and 2,848 were held for labour law violations.

The ministry also said that 1,668 people were arrested while attempting to enter the country illegally. Among them, 46 per cent were Yemeni nationals, 53 per cent Ethiopian nationals and the remaining one per cent were from other countries.

In addition, 54 people were detained while attempting to leave Saudi Arabia illegally.

The authorities said 10,458 migrants had already been repatriated, while 15,109 others had been referred to their respective diplomatic missions to obtain travel documents. A further 1,979 individuals are currently undergoing procedures prior to deportation.

During the same period, Saudi authorities arrested 24 residents for allegedly transporting, sheltering or assisting individuals who had violated residency and employment regulations.

The Interior Ministry said legal proceedings are currently under way against 23,587 expatriates, including 21,758 men and 1,829 women.
Saudi authorities reiterated that facilitating illegal entry into the Kingdom is a serious offence punishable by up to 15 years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to SR1 million.

Saudi Arabia, home to around 34.8 million people, hosts millions of migrant workers from across the world, many of whom are employed in the construction, domestic service and other industrial sectors.