ABU DHABI — Saudi Arabia has pledged a crackdown on illegal aliens.
Officials said the Interior Ministry has drafted plans to track and
detain tens of thousands of illegal residents in the kingdom. They said
Saudis who employ illegal workers would be prosecuted.
"We'll combat overstayers by strictly and quickly imposing punishment,
first, on those who employ them, second on those who accommodate them, and
third on those who transport them," Interior Minister Prince Nayef Bin Abdul
Aziz said.
Nayef outlined his ministry's plan in an address to Saudi governors on
Nov. 25. He said the kingdom has been attracting pilgrims and tourists who
then seek employment, Middle East Newsline reported.
"All of them will receive tough punishment as they deal with illegals,"
Nayef said.
In 2006, thousands of illegal aliens were arrested in such cities as
Jedda, Mecca and Medina. Officials said many of them were pilgrims who
arrived for the annual Haj and never left Saudi Arabia.
Nayef said travel agents who bring pilgrims to Saudi Arabia would be
responsible for their departure. He said agents who fail to do this would
lose their licenses.
Officials have cited the huge illegal alien population for rising crime
in Saudi Arabia. Jedda, in particular, has been plagued by street crime by
African immigrants.
"Citizens must cooperate with the Interior Ministry to stop the
phenomenon of overstaying," Nayef said. "They should know that there is
punishment for accommodating, transporting and employing overstayers. We
will not accept any excuses."
