Saudi deports 12,600 migrants in a week, detains 14,000 in sweeping crackdown

Saudi Arabia has deported 12,613 foreign nationals and detained 14,154 people in a week-long nationwide crackdown targeting violations of residency, labour and border security laws, the Kingdom's Interior Ministry said.

According to a ministry statement issued on Saturday (August 1) and reported by Gulf News, the joint security campaign was carried out between July 23 and July 29 across the country.

The ministry said 7,103 people were arrested for violating residency regulations, 3,397 for breaching labour laws and 3,654 for violating border security rules.

Authorities also intercepted 1,418 individuals attempting to enter Saudi Arabia illegally during the reporting period. Another 23 people were arrested while attempting to leave the country without the required legal authorisation.

In a parallel operation, security forces detained 17 individuals accused of facilitating illegal migration by transporting, sheltering, employing or otherwise assisting undocumented migrants.

The Interior Ministry said legal proceedings are currently underway against 30,679 people accused of violating immigration-related regulations.

Of those, 17,903 have been referred to their respective embassies and consulates to obtain emergency travel documents, while 5,424 are completing administrative procedures ahead of deportation.

Saudi authorities reiterated that they would continue enforcing immigration laws and warned that anyone found assisting undocumented migrants could face severe penalties.

Under Saudi law, individuals convicted of helping illegal migrants enter, transport, harbour or conceal undocumented residents may face up to 15 years in prison, fines of up to SR1 million, confiscation of vehicles or property used in the offence, and public disclosure of their identities.

The Kingdom has intensified nationwide inspections and enforcement operations in recent years as part of its broader efforts to regulate the labour market, strengthen border security and curb illegal immigration.