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Over 17,000 illegal residents were arrested across Saudi Arabia following coordinated security campaigns conducted between April 24 and April 30, according to the Ministry of Interior. The arrests, totaling 17,153 individuals, were made during joint field inspections targeting those violating residency, labor, and border security laws. Specifically, 10,305 individuals were arrested for violating the Residency Law, 3,644 for Border Security Law violations, and 3,204 for Labour Law infractions.
While the nationalities of all those arrested have not been fully disclosed, initial reports indicate a significant number of undocumented workers from various countries were caught in the crackdown. I was unable to find the specific number of Bangladeshi nationals arrested in the recent crackdown between April 24 and April 30. However, previous reports indicate that Bangladeshi workers are among those affected by such campaigns in Saudi Arabia. For example, in 2019, approximately 12,000 Bangladeshi workers were deported from Saudi Arabia.
The Saudi authorities have also arrested 1,109 individuals attempting to illegally cross the border into the Kingdom. Of these, 62% were Ethiopian nationals, 35% Yemeni nationals, and 3% from other nationalities. Additionally, 13 individuals were arrested for facilitating violations by providing transportation, shelter, or employment to those residing in the country illegally.
Currently, 28,706 violators, including 27,022 men and 1,684 women, are undergoing legal procedures. Of these, 20,537 have been referred to their respective diplomatic missions to secure travel documents, 2,484 are completing travel bookings, and 15,402 have already been deported.
The ministry reiterated that aiding violators in any way is a serious offence, punishable by up to 15 years in prison, a fine of up to SAR 1 million, and the confiscation of vehicles and property used in the crime. Citizens and residents are urged to report violations.
Several Thousand Bangladeshis in Endless Suffering in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia has launched its largest operation in recent memory, especially in Mecca, on the occasion of Hajj. Authorities are going room to room checking the residency permits of expatriate workers. Many substandard hotels have been sealed off. In such a situation, many Bangladeshis living in Mecca and Jeddah report that they have been staying indoors for the last five to six days to avoid arrest. There have been incidents of many people being arrested and sent back to Bangladesh even with eight months remaining on their visas. The Bangladesh Embassy authorities have not yet been able to confirm the exact number of Bangladeshis who have been sent back so far.
