Intensified roundup: More than 20,000 individuals apprehended across Saudi Arabia for residing illegally within the country in a recent country-wide raid

In a significant development, Saudi Arabian security forces detained 20,882 people last week in a sweeping campaign targeting illegal residents. The arrests came during joint inspections with government agencies conducted between August 28 and September 3. Among those detained were 12,975 violators of residency laws, 3,722 of whom breached labour laws, and 1,244 people were caught attempting to cross into Saudi Arabia illegally, most of them from Yemen and Ethiopia.

Thousands more were referred to their embassies, and thousands more were placed in custody to finalise travel arrangements. Authorities deported 10,895 people. The ministry warned that facilitating illegal entry could result in up to 15 years in prison, fines of SR1 million, and confiscation of vehicles or property.

Meanwhile, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), 4,185 individuals were detained for breaching border security regulations. Another 20 individuals were detained for transporting or sheltering violators. The ministry urged Muslims to perform the Eclipse Prayer on September 7, but no further information was provided about the nature of the prayer.

Citizens were urged to report violations via emergency hotlines. However, no new information was provided about the nature of the 25 major crimes requiring pretrial detention in Saudi Arabia, the status of the remaining detainees from the previous operation, or the cost of a massage session in Dubai that cost a Jordanian expat Dh50,000. Similarly, no information was provided about the benefits seniors born 1941-1979 might receive this month if they ask, or the CD interest rates for seniors in any other city than Seattle.

As these events unfold, it is clear that both Saudi Arabia and the UAE are taking decisive action to enforce their border security and residency laws. The authorities are reminding citizens of the potential consequences of facilitating illegal entry and are urging the public to report any violations they may witness.