Over 15,900 residency, labor, and border violators arrested in one week
Saudi Gazette reportRIYADH —
Saudi authorities arrested 15,928 violators of residency, labor, and border security regulations during nationwide field campaigns conducted from May 1 to May 7, 2025, according to the Ministry of Interior.The arrests included 10,179 individuals in violation of residency regulations, 3,912 for border security violations, and 1,837 for violating labor laws.
Among those apprehended were 1,248 people attempting to illegally cross into the Kingdom — 63% of whom were Ethiopian nationals, 35% Yemeni nationals, and 2% of other nationalities. Additionally, 45 individuals were arrested for attempting to exit the Kingdom illegally.
Authorities also detained 26 individuals accused of facilitating, sheltering, or employing violators, or concealing their whereabouts. Currently, 25,689 violators are undergoing procedures to implement regulations. Of these, 23,946 are men and 1,743 are women.
The ministry reported that 19,455 individuals have been referred to their diplomatic missions for travel documentation, 1,667 are completing travel arrangements, and 12,898 have already been deported.
The Ministry of Interior reiterated that anyone found aiding border violators — whether by providing transportation, shelter, or any form of assistance — faces penalties of up to 15 years in prison, a fine of up to SAR 1 million, confiscation of any involved vehicles or housing, and public naming.
The ministry stressed that such actions constitute major offenses warranting detention and are considered breaches of public trust. It urged the public to report violations by calling 911 in Makkah, Riyadh, and the Eastern Province, and 999 or 996 in other regions of the Kingdom.
Latest Saudi Gazette
- Absher carries out over 40 million e-transactions in AprilSaudi Gazette report RIYADH — The Ministry of Interior's electronic platform Absher had carried out a total of 40,276,727 electronic transactions during the month of April for beneficiaries through
- Mayoralty begins disconnecting services from dilapidated buildings in three Jeddah neighborhoodsSaudi Gazette report JEDDAH — The Jeddah Mayoralty has begun on Sunday disconnecting electricity and water services from a number of dilapidated buildings in Faisaliah, Al-Rabwah, and Al-Farouq neighborhoods,
- Saudi Arabia starts 6-month grace period to correct status of runaway domestic workersSaudi Gazette report RIYADH — The Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development announced a six-month grace period for correcting the status of domestic workers, who are reported absent from
- 1,706 people donate their organs to save others in 2024Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — The Saudi Center for Organ Transplantation (SCOT) revealed that as many as 1,706 people donated their organs during the year in 2024, and this marks an increase of 4.9 percent
- Etidal and Telegram remove 16 million extremist materials in 3 monthsSaudi Gazette report RIYADH — The Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology (Etidal), in cooperation with the Telegram platform, removed 16,062,667 extremist materials during the first quarter of
- Saudi Arabia and Kazakhstan discuss ways to strengthen security cooperationSaudi Gazette report RIYADH — Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif met with Chairman of the National Security Committee of Kazakhstan Yermek Sagimbayev in Riyadh on Sunday.During the
