Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — As many as 793,014 foreigners living in Saudi Arabia have been deported for violating the Kingdom’s residency and labor regulations since the beginning of the security campaign on Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2017 until Thursday, May 16, 2019, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Friday.

A total of 3,159,388 foreigners were arrested for violating the residency and labor regulations and border security laws during the period.

Of these, 2,461,868 were violators of the iqama regulations, 487,670 breached the labor laws and 209,850 violated the border security rules.

Meanwhile, the number of people arrested while trying to infiltrate into the Kingdom across the borders totaled 53,042. Of these, 49 percent were Yemenis, 48 percent were Ethiopians, and 3 percent of other nationalities. In addition, 2,249 people were nabbed for trying to leave the Kingdom by crossing the borders illegally.

The Ministry of Interior launched a nationwide crackdown against illegal residents on Nov. 15, 2017 in coordination with 19 government departments including the Directorate General of Passports (Jawazat) and the Ministry of Labor and Social Development.

The law-enforcing officials said a total of 422,442 violators were handed over to their concerned embassies and consulates to issue them travel documents while 534,278 others are in the process of completing travel procedures.

According to the officials, 12,741 violators are currently held in various detention centers in the Kingdom. They include 11,103 men and 1,638 women.

As many as 3,823 people were caught providing accommodation and transportation to the illegal expatiates. They included 1,299 Saudis, of whom 1,258 were investigated, punished and released while 35 are still being probed. — SPA