Larisa Mote
Saudi Arabia is implementing new 2030 labour reforms to create more job opportunities for its nationals The kingdom initiated a crackdown on illegal residents, leading to the arrest and detention of thousands of individuals Authorities in the Gulf nation noted that Ethiopians accounted for over half of those detained in the country TUKO.co.ke journalist Japhet Ruto has over eight years of experience in financial, business, and technology reporting, offering insights into Kenyan and global economic trends.
In what is described as a Trump-style immigration enforcement wave, Saudi Arabia has deported over 12,000 foreigners, mostly Africans, as part of a statewide crackdown on illegal residents.
Saudi Arabia is implementing new labour reforms. Photo: Business Insider Africa.
Source: Twitter The move is part of a larger initiative to reorganise the workforce and reduce reliance on foreign labour, creating more job opportunities for Saudi nationals.
According to Business Insider, 21,647 people were arrested during the campaign, which ran from Thursday, October 30, to Wednesday, November 5.
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Of these, 4,564 were detained for border security violations, 12,838 for residence violations, and 4,245 for labour-related offences.
Which African nationals were affected? African migrants, mainly Ethiopians, made up 54% of those detained, according to authorities.
Other migrants came from Nigeria, Sudan, Egypt, Algeria, and Morocco.
During the operation, 1,943 people who were trying to enter Saudi Arabia illegally were stopped, and 37 people were prevented from departing illegally.
Currently, 32,801 people (31,207 men and 1,594 women) are going through legal proceedings before being deported.
Most of those affected were Ethiopians. Photo: Barcroft Media.
Source: Twitter Why is Saudi Arabia deporting migrants? Geopolitical economist Aly-Khan Satchu told TUKO.co.ke that deportation is becoming a worldwide phenomenon.
He argued that this follows the push by citizens in developed countries.
“The fines that the kingdom is imposing are more draconian than the US. We have seen more coercive approaches from the US to the UK to Japan of late, and citizens are demanding more aggressive measures. (Illegal) immigrants who are typically economic migrants are an easy target, and governments are evidently under increasing pressure,” Satchu explained in an exclusive interview with TUKO.co.ke. At least 12,098 migrants have been deported so far, 6,012 are completing their exit plans, and 21,800 are awaiting travel documents from their embassies.
Officials emphasised that anyone discovered to be harbouring, hiring, or assisting undocumented immigrants faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in jail, a fine of SR1 million (KSh 34.4 million), and the seizure of any vehicles or property used in the crimes, Gulf News reported.
The deportations are part of Saudi Arabia’s larger Vision 2030 economic reform plan, which aims to impose stringent immigration regulations and reduce reliance on foreign labour.
The kingdom officially abolished the kafala sponsorship system earlier this year and replaced it with a contract-based employment structure intended to increase the rights and mobility of foreign workers.
Why do Africans face tough times in Saudi? Enforcement against unauthorised migrants is strict, notwithstanding the measures.
Several African migrants have reportedly been subjected to cruel treatment during the raids.
Human rights organisations have repeatedly voiced concerns about how these immigration operations are being carried out as well as the conditions in detention facilities, especially for Africans.
They are pointing out problems with overcrowding, abuse, and inadequate medical care.
Is the Green Card lottery on? In other news, the US Department of State announced changes to the entry period for the 2027 Green Card lottery.
The lottery has been postponed due to the modifications, but registration will begin soon.
The department made it clear that those chosen for DV-2027 will have until September 30, 2027, to submit a visa application.
Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
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