Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — The Nation Free of Illegal Expats campaign has so far succeeded in arresting 217,709 people violating residency and labor regulations in a nationwide crackdown that was launched 32 days ago with the participation of 19 ministries and public agencies.

Campaign officials said they foiled attempts by 2,475 people to sneak into the Kingdom across its southern border. They said 72 percent of the infiltrators were Yemenis and 27 percent Ethiopians.

According to the officials, as many as 2,101 of the infiltrators were turned back while the others remain in custody.

They said 87 Saudis were detained for providing transportation to a number of illegal expatriates.

It said 59 of the Saudi detainees were released after they were questioned and punished while 28 of them were still in custody.

The officials said 14,900 expatriates, consisting of 12,909 men and 1,991 women were held at various detention centers awaiting deportation after legal procedures.

They said 44,144 violators were deported and 30,287 were referred to their concerned embassies and consulates to obtain travel documents while 32,742 were finalizing their flight bookings.