Saudi Arabia has recently announced the arrest of over 16,000 people during a week-long crackdown on residency, labor, and security violations. This move comes as the Kingdom seeks to strengthen its security measures by curbing illegal entry and labor violations, particularly in the run-up to Eid Al Fitr, which marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan.
The Ministry of Interior reported the arrests in a social media post, revealing that multiple security agencies carried out the operation between April 13 and April 19. The majority of the arrests – 8,717, were for residency violations, while 5,544 were border security rule violations and 2,032 were labor law violations. Additionally, 1,817 individuals were arrested while attempting to cross borders into Saudi Arabia, and 26 were apprehended while trying to leave the country illegally.
Illegal immigration crackdown
The government of Saudi Arabia has been focusing on cracking down on illegal immigration and labor violations in recent years. The authorities have intensified their efforts to tackle these issues and have taken several steps to curb these practices, including deportation of illegal residents and imposing fines on employers who employ undocumented workers.
The Kingdom’s labor laws require all foreign nationals who work in Saudi Arabia to have a valid visa and work permit. Violators of these laws face deportation, fines, and bans on returning to the country.
The crackdown comes at a time when Saudi Arabia is experiencing significant economic and social transformations under the Vision 2030 initiative. The initiative aims to diversify the country’s economy, reduce dependence on oil exports, and develop its public service sectors, including healthcare and education.
The government has been taking steps to promote foreign investment in the country, and the crackdown on illegal immigration and labor violations is seen as a part of this effort to create a more transparent and secure environment for investors.
Severe consequences
The Ministry of Interior has warned that anyone attempting to aid illegal entry into Saudi Arabia will face severe consequences, including up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to SR1m ($267,000).
The Kingdom currently has more than 21,200 people facing procedures regarding residency, border security, and labor law violations. Of these, 12,382 individuals have been referred to their embassies to obtain travel documents, 2,666 are referred to complete reservations, and 6,355 have been deported.
The recent crackdown on illegal immigration and labor violations is part of the Kingdom’s larger effort to create a more secure and stable environment for its citizens and investors. As Saudi Arabia continues its economic and social transformations under Vision 2030, the government’s focus on security measures and anti-illegal immigration operations is likely to intensify further in the coming years.
The Kingdom’s efforts to combat illegal immigration and labor violations reflect its commitment to creating a secure and stable environment for its citizens and investors. The recent crackdown on these violations is likely to intensify in the coming years as Saudi Arabia continues its economic and social transformations under Vision 2030.
