Saudi authorities have arrested 15,231 individuals in a single week for breaching the country's residency, labor, and border security regulations, according to an official report from the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
Breakdown of Arrests
The arrests, conducted between June 20 and June 26, 2026, included 7,589 people for violations of residency laws, 4,443 for illegal border crossing attempts, and 3,199 for labor-related issues. The Ministry of Interior released the figures on June 27.
Nationalities of Border Crossers
Among the 1,763 individuals arrested for attempting to enter the Kingdom illegally, 55 percent were Ethiopian, 44 percent were Yemeni, and 1 percent were of other nationalities. Additionally, 53 people were caught trying to cross into neighboring countries, and 22 were held for involvement in transporting and harboring violators.
Penalties for Facilitating Illegal Entry
The Ministry of Interior warned that anyone found facilitating illegal entry to the Kingdom, including providing transportation and shelter, could face severe penalties. These include imprisonment for up to 15 years, a fine of up to SR1 million (approximately $267,000), and confiscation of vehicles and property.
Reporting Violations
Suspected violations can be reported via the toll-free number 911 in the Makkah and Riyadh regions, and 999 or 996 in other regions of the Kingdom. The Ministry emphasized the importance of public cooperation in maintaining border security and enforcing residency and labor laws.
