DHAKA: The Saudi authorities began on Monday a clampdown on illegal immigrants after the end of an amnesty that gave overstayers and workers a grace period to leave or legalise their status.

Police patrols will be searching for illegally staying foreigners and those who help them, interior ministry spokesman General Mansur al-Turki said late on Sunday.

Violators will be arrested, penalised and deported, he said, reports The Straits Times.

Nearly a million Bangladeshis, Filipinos, Indians, Nepalis, Pakistanis and Yemenis, among others, have taken advantage of the three-month amnesty, announced on April 3 and then extended for four months, and left the country.

BDST: 1920 HRS, NOV 04, 2013
RoR/SRS