RIYADH: The latest move by Saudi Arabia has certainly been its most drastic one regarding illegal immigrants. The Interior Ministry has just revealed that within a week, the government succeeded in deporting 11,272 immigrants who have entered the country illegally.
Deportation drive in Saudi Arabia took place from May 7 until May 13, and it was planned by the collaboration of many government departments. Security officials made 9,576 arrests during the drive, which indicated the huge scale of the operation carried out.
Arrests and Reasons for Arrests
The Saudi deportation campaign involved three different types of violations.The largest number was that of individuals breaching the laws on residency, amounting to 4,865 arrests. The second largest category was that of individuals who breached the security regulations, amounting to 3,319 arrests. Labour law violators comprised a third category, totaling 1,392 arrests.
These three groups include everyone with irregular status in Saudi Arabia, which comprises people who have overstayed or broken the rules of their visa, people who entered the country illegally, and people working in Saudi Arabia without employment contracts or permits.
1,500 Tried to Cross Border Illegally Nationality Composition
In addition to those who were already residing within the borders of the kingdom, the Saudi Arabia deportation operation also detained those trying to enter the kingdom without permission. In the same time period, 1,500 people were apprehended for illegal border crossing.
The nationality composition is indicative of the story that relates to the pressure on the borders of Saudi Arabia. While 60% were Ethiopians who were detained at the borders, the number of Yemeni nationals was 38%.
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More Than 26,000 Expatriates Under Legal Process
It should be noted that apart from being confined to those who have been expelled from Saudi Arabia, this figure consists of 26,632 expatriates. Out of this figure, there are 25,059 males and 1,573 females. It must be noted that this is only the number under legal process at present due to the violations committed by them.
Among the people arrested, 2,311 were directed to go back to their respective embassies for travel documentation purposes since it is the normal practice when someone does not have his passport or travel documents. Another 11,226 were directed to make travel bookings prior to deportation.
Facilitators of Violators Risk 15-Year Sentences and SR1 Million Fine
The Ministry of Interior took advantage of the enforcement statement to deliver a stern warning to all those who might think of helping any illegal immigrant residing within the kingdom. Any help rendered in facilitating illegal entry, transportation, or sheltering and employment of illegal immigrants could lead to jail terms extending up to 15 years and fines of SR1 million.
Confiscation is another penalty applied not just to the persons committing the violation but also to any vehicle or property involved in making it possible. Arrests were made against twelve individuals in connection with the Saudi Arabia deportation drive who have been caught helping, housing, or working with violators.
What This Means for Future Immigration Enforcement
The deportation drive targeting Saudi Arabia comes at a time when there is greater emphasis on nationalizing workforces and securing borders in the Gulf region. The Saudi Arabia’s Nitaqat initiative has been placing pressure on companies to meet their quota for Saudi nationals for quite some time now, and this type of enforcement is an extension of that.
The cooperation between the agencies responsible for immigration, labor, and border security in one coordinated effort is a more coherent enforcement strategy than the previous efforts. Instead of conducting individual inspections under various violations, the deportation campaign in Saudi Arabia views all forms of irregularity as an integrated enforcement priority.
