Saudi Arabia Sends Home Over 17,000 Expats in Major Crackdown
A week-long operation targets illegal residents, border crossers and labour violators across the kingdom.
Saudi Arabia has deported more than 17,000 foreign nationals in just one week as part of a sweeping enforcement drive against immigration and labour violations. The Saudi Ministry of Interior announced the figures, confirming that the campaign ran from April 16 to April 22.
Security forces, working alongside other government agencies, carried out a series of coordinated raids and inspections across the country. During this period, authorities arrested 12,192 people. Among them, over 6,600 were found living in the country without valid residency status, more than 3,500 had violated border laws, and over 2,000 were flagged for breaking labour regulations.
Another 1,454 individuals were caught trying to sneak into Saudi Arabia illegally. The majority were Ethiopian nationals, with smaller numbers from Yemen and other countries. Fifty more were detained while attempting to exit the kingdom through unofficial means.
Beyond deportations, authorities referred more than 20,000 people to their respective embassies to get travel documents sorted. Officials added that over 33,000 expats are still caught up in ongoing legal proceedings linked to the campaign.
The ministry also announced the arrest of 22 people accused of helping others stay or enter illegally, whether by offering them transport, housing or work. Saudi authorities made clear that anyone caught enabling illegal residency could face up to 15 years in prison, fines reaching SR1 million, and the seizure of any vehicles or properties involved.