The arrests were made during joint field campaigns conducted between July 10 and July 16, as part of the Kingdom’s ongoing effort to enforce national laws governing immigration and employment.
Of the 23,167 people detained, 14,525 were found to be in violation of residency laws, 5,511 were arrested for breaching border security regulations, and 3,131 were charged with labour law violations.
Apart from those detained within the Kingdom, 1,593 individuals were intercepted while attempting to cross into Saudi Arabia illegally.
The ministry reported that 69 per cent of those individuals were Ethiopian nationals, 30 per cent were Yemenis, and the remainder were of other nationalities. Another 41 individuals were caught trying to leave the country without authorisation.
Authorities also arrested 22 people accused of transporting, employing, or sheltering violators, or providing other forms of assistance.
As of this week, 16,441 individuals are undergoing legal procedures, including 14,255 men and 2,186 women.
