More than 23,000 expatriates arrested in Saudi Arabia

Last Updated on January 3, 2025 6:14 am

Saudi Arabia’s law enforcement agencies have arrested more than 23,000 expatriates for violating housing, labor and border security laws.

Gulf News reported this news on Sunday, citing a statement from the Saudi Ministry of Interior.

It said that 23,194 expatriates were arrested in raids in different parts of Saudi Arabia from December 19 to 25. They were arrested as part of a comprehensive security operation across the country. The country’s various security forces and government agencies carried out joint raids to arrest these expatriates.

The Saudi Ministry of Interior said that among those arrested, 13,083 were for violating housing laws, 6,210 for violating border security laws and 3,901 for violating labor laws.

The ministry’s statement said that 41 percent of those arrested were Yemenis, 57 percent Ethiopians and 2 percent citizens of other countries. Another 68 expatriates were arrested while trying to leave Saudi Arabia illegally.

In addition, 1,536 people were arrested while trying to illegally cross the border into Saudi Arabia. Among them, Yemeni and Ethiopian citizens are in the majority.

At the same time, 23 people living in Saudi Arabia were also arrested for transporting and sheltering those who violated the residence and work regulations. The country currently has legal action pending against 31,139 expatriates. Of them, 28,605 are men and 2,534 are women.

Of the arrested expatriates, 21,843 have been sent to their respective diplomatic missions to collect the necessary travel documents before being deported. In addition, final orders have been issued to arrange for the repatriation of another 4,025 people from Saudi Arabia.