Riyadh, April 19, 2026 — In a major push to regularize its expat population and secure its borders, Saudi Arabia has launched a massive, nationwide crackdown on illegal immigration. The Saudi Ministry of Interior announced that over 14,000 illegal residents were arrested within just a single week, with thousands having already been deported back to their home countries.
The extensive joint inspection campaigns were carried out by Saudi security forces in coordination with various government agencies between April 9 and April 15.
Breakdown of the Violations
According to the official data released by the Ministry of Interior, a total of 14,487 individuals were detained during the week-long operation. The violations were categorized as follows:
7,911 individuals were arrested for violating residency (Iqama) laws.
3,588 individuals were detained for breaching strict border security regulations.
2,988 individuals were caught violating national labor laws.
As part of the ongoing crackdown, Saudi border security forces also intercepted 1,382 individuals who were attempting to cross into the Kingdom illegally. Officials noted that 61% of these infiltrators were Ethiopian nationals, while 38% were Yemeni. An additional 43 individuals were caught while attempting to unlawfully exit the country.
Deportations Underway
The Saudi government is moving swiftly to process the detainees. So far, 12,554 individuals have been officially deported.
Furthermore, the authorities have referred 21,127 detainees to their respective diplomatic missions to secure emergency travel documents, and another 11,240 people are currently in the final stages of completing their travel arrangements for deportation.
Presently, 39,258 expatriates (35,460 men and 3,798 women) remain in custody and are undergoing various legal procedures.
Strict Warnings to Citizens and Employers
The Ministry of Interior has issued a stern warning to its citizens and legal residents against providing any form of assistance to illegal immigrants.
During the week-long campaign, 23 individuals were arrested specifically for assisting violators by providing them with transportation, employment, or shelter. The Ministry reiterated that anyone found aiding illegal entry or harboring offenders could face severe penalties, including up to 15 years in prison and massive fines reaching up to SR 1 million (Saudi Riyals). Furthermore, any vehicles or properties used in facilitating such illegal activities are liable to be confiscated by the state.
The Saudi authorities have strongly urged the public to act responsibly and report any suspected residency or labor violations to the authorities.
