Saudi Arabia Launches Major Crackdown on Illegal Immigrants: Over 22,000 Arrested in One Week

Riyadh:Saudi Arabia has intensified its crackdown on illegal immigrants, arresting over 22,000 individuals in just one week. The country’s Ministry of Interior reported that the arrests were part of ongoing efforts to enforce immigration and labor laws.
According to a statement from the Ministry, 13,835 individuals were detained for violating residency laws, while 4,772 were arrested for attempting to cross the border illegally. Additionally, 3,540 people were apprehended for breaching labor laws.
The Saudi Ministry of Interior emphasized that such operations would continue as part of the government’s commitment to ensuring the full implementation of the law and upholding transparency at all levels.
In a separate development, investigations were launched in July 2025 into allegations of corruption involving 425 government employees, with 142 officials arrested as a result.
The Saudi government reiterated its stance that transparency and the rule of law will be upheld rigorously across the country.