RIYADH, Jan 11: Saudi authorities have arrested 18,836 illegal residents and deported over 10,000 during the first week of January, as part of intensified nationwide inspections targeting violations of residency, labour, and border laws.

The Ministry of Interior reported on Saturday that the arrests took place between January 1 and 7, during joint operations involving security forces and relevant government agencies.

Of those detained:

So far, 10,195 individuals have been deported, while 20,956 violators were referred to their diplomatic missions to obtain travel documents. An additional 5,201 people were transferred to complete travel arrangements ahead of removal from the Kingdom.

The operations also targeted illegal entries, resulting in the arrest of 1,741 individuals attempting to enter Saudi Arabia unlawfully. Among them, 39% were Yemeni nationals, 60% Ethiopian nationals, and 1% from other countries. Authorities also detained 46 individuals attempting to leave the country illegally.

The campaign extended to those facilitating violations, with 19 people arrested for providing transport, shelter, or employment to illegal residents.

Currently, a total of 29,823 expatriates—including 28,220 men and 1,603 women—are undergoing legal procedures as part of the enforcement drive.

The Ministry of Interior reiterated that anyone who assists illegal entry, transport, shelter, or employment of undocumented residents faces severe penalties, including up to 15 years in prison, fines of up to SR1 million, and the confiscation of vehicles or property used in committing the offence.