KUWAIT CITY, July 27: More than 19,000 expatriates have been deported from Kuwait since the beginning of this year, in a major enforcement campaign targeting illegal residents and labor law violators, a senior security source revealed.

The deportations, which span from January 1 to July 2025, include individuals of various nationalities and both genders. Among those forced to leave the country were expats with absconding cases, street vendors, beggars, and those found in breach of residency and labor laws. Others were deported in the public interest or arrested for offenses related to alcohol, drugs, or substance abuse.

The source confirmed that ongoing security campaigns led by multiple departments within the Ministry of Interior have resulted in the arrest of thousands of violators.

“The majority of deportees complete their departure within a week, depending on their destination and flight availability,” the official said, adding that the process is typically swift.

The crackdown was particularly active during Ramadan, with around 60 beggars—both men and women—deported during the holy month alone. All deported individuals were fingerprinted at the airport and had their names added to the blacklist, making them permanently banned from re-entering Kuwait.

Authorities have vowed to continue the clampdown to maintain order and protect public welfare.