Karbala police arrest 49 foreign workers for residency violations

KARBALA — Karbala police announced the arrest of 49 foreign workers for violating residency requirements in the governorate, following field monitoring of their movements, authorities said.

In a statement, the Karbala Police Command said the arrests were carried out under the direction of the interior minister.

Police said their units from detained 49 individuals of different nationalities after confirming violations of residency terms and regulations.

According to the statement, the operation followed on-the-ground monitoring of foreign labor activity in the governorate and was carried out by a joint committee.

Authorities said those detained were handed over to the Residency Affairs Department to complete legal procedures in accordance with applicable laws and instructions.

Iraq has been intensifying enforcement against undocumented foreign workers in recent years. The Labour Ministry said it deported “more than 20,000 foreign workers in 2024, and more than 14,000 in 2025,” all without work permits, bringing the two-year total to over 34,000. According to ministry spokesperson Hassan Khawam, employers are required to hire “80 percent Iraqi labor and 20 percent foreign labor,” with inspectors visiting worksites to monitor compliance.

In late November 2025, Basra’s Residency Affairs Department said it deported 56 foreigners who violated residency rules through the Shalamcheh border crossing with Iran, warning that remaining violators will face the same measures.