The Kuwaiti government on Sunday decided to deport illegal expatriates after halting a short-lived decree of fine-for-amnesty scheme, Gulf News quoted Kuwaiti media as saying.

The decree allowed illegal expatriates who came to the country before 2020 to change their status in return for paying specific fines.

“The Interior Ministry is going ahead with its plan to deport violators of residency rules from the country as was the case over the past period,” a security source was quoted as saying.

Kuwaiti newspaper Al Anba quoted the interior ministry directing to halt implementation of the decree issued days earlier.

As many as around 110,000 foreigners illegally living in the country were supposed to benefit from the arrangement, it quoted a security source as saying.

It is pertinent to mention that Kuwait deported record 42,000 expatriates last year for violations of the country’s residence and labour laws as well as for involvement in crimes.

Kuwait has tightened measures against illegal foreigners in the recent years and expatriates have been warned against covering up an unlawful resident. Those found to cover up or shelter an illegal foreigner will also be deported.

Kuwaiti individuals or companies employing illegal foreigners will also face charges according to new law in the country.

Foreigners make up around 3.2 million of Kuwait’s overall population of 4.6 million.