Arrests and deportations of countless individuals in 2025 due to enforcement of security measures
Kuwait is maintaining a firm stance against residency and labor violations, as well as criminal activities, under the leadership of the Ministry of Interior (MoI). In the first half of 2025 alone, over 19,000 expatriates have been arrested and deported as part of this enforcement campaign[1].
The latest round of security operations, conducted between 11-18 May, resulted in the arrest of 1,084 violators of residency regulations, as well as those engaged in illegal employment or working under unauthorized sponsors[2]. This is just one example of the numerous coordinated security campaigns that have been carried out across Kuwait since the start of the year.
The deported individuals include those apprehended through these security campaigns and those referred from departments such as criminal investigations, labor inspection units, and residency affairs[2]. The deported are barred from entering Kuwait and the five other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, as per an agreement between members of the six-nation GCC bloc[2].
Despite multiple amnesty campaigns, thousands of illegal residents chose to stay on, believing they could evade arrests[3]. However, the authorities have made it clear that they will not spare those who aid and abet unlawful activities, irrespective of whether the perpetrators were citizens or residents[1].
The campaigns are part of Kuwait’s broader strategy aimed at regulating its labor market, enforcing immigration laws, and safeguarding internal security[1]. Legal and security authorities continue to urge public cooperation, encouraging residents to report violations to support these enforcement efforts[3].
The enforcement campaign has involved arrests for a variety of offenses, including traffic violations, possession of narcotics, and the apprehension of wanted individuals[3][5]. For instance, on 13 January, the Ministry of Interior deported 648 persons following 28 separate security campaigns, which also resulted in the detention of 509 visa violators[1].
The most recent amnesty initiative ran from 17 March to 30 June, offering illegal residents an opportunity to either correct their status or voluntarily exit the country without penalties[4]. During the amnesty period in 2024, an estimated 1,000 people per day visited the Residence Affairs Departments, either regularizing their stay or leaving the country voluntarily[4].
Kuwait has been tightening residency and labor law enforcements due to demographic and economic pressures. The penalties for those who shelter or employ undocumented migrants range from KD600 per offense in fines and/or up to six months imprisonment[1].
In summary, the current status demonstrates Kuwait's strong and ongoing commitment to cracking down on residency and labor violations through extensive arrests, legal processes, and deportations, all of which aim to secure labor market regulation and internal stability[1][3][5].
- The ongoing efforts in Kuwait, encompassing policy-and-legislation, politics, and general-news, have focused on enhancing internal security, regulating the labor market, and enforcing immigration laws through multiple security campaigns, arrests, and deportations.
- In the realm of crime-and-justice, the authorities in Kuwait are taking a stern stance against those who violate residency and labor laws, with severe penalties for aiding and abetting unlawful activities, including fines, imprisonment, and deportation.
