Saudi Arabia deported 12,635 people found to have violated residency, labour and border security regulations in one week, as authorities continued nationwide inspection campaigns.
The Ministry of Interior said security forces, working with relevant government agencies, arrested 14,782 people during inspections conducted from September 10 to 16.
Of those arrested, 7,438 were residency law violators, 3,782 were found to have violated border security regulations and 3,562 were labour law violators.
Authorities also arrested 1,450 people for attempting to enter the Kingdom illegally. Ethiopians accounted for 56 per cent of those arrested, followed by Yemenis at 43 per cent, while people of other nationalities made up the remaining 1 per cent.
Another 25 people were arrested while attempting to leave Saudi Arabia illegally, while 23 were detained for transporting, sheltering or otherwise assisting regulatory violators.
The ministry said 31,075 expatriates were undergoing procedures related to violations. This included 29,171 men and 1,904 women.
A further 18,986 people were referred to their diplomatic missions to obtain travel documents, while 3,834 were referred to complete arrangements for departure.
The Ministry of Interior reiterated that anyone who facilitates illegal entry into Saudi Arabia, transports violators within the Kingdom or provides them with shelter or other assistance can face up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to SR1 million.
Vehicles used to transport violators and properties used to shelter them may also be confiscated, the ministry said.