Jeddah hot spot for illegal expats

(MENAFN- Arab News) The government's security agencies last month arrested 44978 people for violating the country's labor and residency laws.
There were 14768 violators arrested in Jeddah the most in the country said Brig. Khalaf Allah bin Obaidullah Al-Tuwaigri the director general of Makkah Province's Passports Department.
The department also issued 458 rulings against people who were involved in sheltering transporting or employing illegal expatriates. They face various penalties including prison sentences fines and confiscation of their vehicles.
He said the Shumaisi shelter last month received 30210 violators from across the country. The security forces under the supervision of Jeddah Gov. Prince Mishaal bin Majed handed over 14768 violators.
Prince Mishaal said there were 1272 offenders fingerprinted in Taif and 190 referred to administrative committees. Taif sent 598 people to local prisons while 185 were released.
In Qunfudah 577 people were arrested and fingerprinted and 23 referred to administrative committees while 530 were sent to prison and 14 released.
The director of passports in the region said the expatriate division in Rabigh received 658 violators of whom 322 were referred to prisons. There were also rulings against 171 people for employing sheltering or transporting expatriates. The division also recorded 35 reports of expatriates who left their sponsors.