The Saudi Ministry of Interior continues its tireless efforts to enhance security and regulate the labor market through joint field campaigns across all regions of the Kingdom. In its latest official report, security authorities announced the results of their intensive campaigns conducted between January 8 and 14, 2026, which resulted in the apprehension of thousands of violators, reflecting a high level of security vigilance and strict enforcement of regulations.
Details of seizures and field figures
Official results from joint security field campaigns revealed the apprehension of 18,054 violators across all regions of the Kingdom. These violations varied, encompassing multiple aspects of sovereign regulations, as detailed below:
- Violators of the residency system: Their number reached (11,343) violators, and they constitute the largest percentage of the total number of those arrested.
- Violators of the border security system: (3858) people were apprehended for violating the rules of crossing the border.
- Violators of the labor system: Their number reached (2853) violators.
Regarding border crossing attempts, statistics show that a total of 1,491 individuals were apprehended while attempting to enter the Kingdom illegally. Yemeni nationals constituted 40% of this number, followed by Ethiopian nationals at 59%, while the remaining 1% were distributed among other nationalities. Additionally, 18 individuals were detected and apprehended while attempting to leave the Kingdom illegally.
Legal procedures and deportation
Efforts don't stop at mere enforcement; they extend to taking deterrent legal measures. Currently, 27,518 undocumented migrants are undergoing procedures for implementing regulations, including 25,552 men and 1,966 women. To expedite legal processing, 19,835 violators have been referred to their respective diplomatic missions to obtain necessary travel documents, 3,936 to finalize their travel arrangements, and 14,621 have already been deported.
The security context and economic importance of the campaigns
These intensified campaigns are an extension of the Kingdom's strategy to eliminate the phenomenon of undocumented workers and residency violators, which falls under comprehensive national initiatives aimed at rectifying the labor market. These efforts are of paramount importance on both the security and economic fronts. On the security front, apprehending border violators contributes to protecting society from transnational crimes and reducing crime rates associated with undocumented individuals.
Economically, eliminating commercial concealment and illegal labor enhances legitimate employment opportunities for citizens and legal residents, and protects the national economy from the negative effects of the shadow economy, which serves the interests of achieving the Kingdom’s ambitious vision of creating a safe and organized investment and business environment.
Stern warnings and severe penalties
In a related context, the Ministry of Interior reiterated its strong warnings to anyone contemplating assisting violators. The Ministry emphasized that anyone who facilitates the entry of violators of the Kingdom's border security regulations, transports them within the Kingdom, provides them with shelter, or offers them any assistance or service whatsoever, will be subject to severe penalties, including:
- Imprisonment for up to 15 years.
- A financial penalty of up to one million riyals.
- Confiscation of the means of transport and the accommodation used for sheltering.
- Defaming dissidents in the media.
The Ministry deemed these actions major crimes warranting arrest, as they violate honor and integrity. The Ministry called upon all citizens and residents to cooperate with security authorities and report any violations by calling 911 in the Makkah, Riyadh, and Eastern regions, and 999 and 996 in the rest of the Kingdom, emphasizing that national security is everyone's responsibility.
