Saudi Arabia arrests more than 10,700 illegal residents in one week, nearly 8,000 deported World News

According to the Interior Ministry, Saudi authorities arrested 10,725 illegal residents during a nationwide inspection operation carried out between June 4 and 10.The arrests were made in a joint operation carried out by security forces in coordination with relevant government agencies across the Kingdom.Of those detained, 5,899 were found to have violated residency regulations, 3,084 were accused of violating border security laws and 1,742 were found to have violated labor regulations.The ministry said 7,989 illegal residents were deported during the reporting period. A further 14,268 violators were referred to their diplomatic missions to obtain travel documents, while 1,240 violators were referred to complete travel arrangements before departure.Authorities also arrested 1,418 people trying to enter Saudi Arabia illegally. According to the ministry, 43% of the detainees are Yemeni nationals, 55% are Ethiopian nationals, and the remaining 2% are of other nationalities.Another 34 people were arrested while trying to leave the Kingdom illegally.The ministry said 18 people were detained on suspicion of transporting, sheltering or employing people violating residency, labor and border regulations.Currently, 22,026 foreign nationals are undergoing legal proceedings related to the enforcement measures, including 20,459 men and 1,567 women.The interior ministry warned that anyone found to be assisting others to enter Saudi Arabia illegally, transporting them, providing accommodation or providing assistance will face up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to 1 million Saudi riyals. Vehicles and property used in such violations may also be seized.The ministry urged the public to report violations by calling 911 in Mecca, Riyadh and the Eastern Province, and 999 or 996 in other parts of the kingdom.