UK immigration enforcement arrests 609 people in nationwide crackdown on illegal working
The UK government announced that hundreds of migrants were arrested in January as part of a sweeping nationwide operation against illegal working. Immigration enforcement teams carried out inspections at 828 locations, including nail bars, car washes, and restaurants, leading to 609 arrests—a 73% increase from January last year, reported timesofindia.indiatimes.com.
Authorities target workplaces, including an Indian restaurant, as crackdown intensifies.
According to UK Home Office data, those arrested entered the country through various means, including crossing the Channel or overstaying legally granted visas. A significant portion of the enforcement action focused on restaurants, takeaways, cafes, and the food, drink, and tobacco industry.
One Indian restaurant in Humberside, northern England, saw seven people arrested and four detained as part of the operation.
UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper described the effort as a “UK-wide blitz,” emphasizing the government’s commitment to enforcing immigration laws.
“The immigration rules must be respected and enforced. For far too long, employers have been able to take on and exploit illegal migrants, and too many people have worked illegally with no enforcement action,” the HT report quoted Cooper as saying.
She added that lax enforcement encourages people to risk their lives crossing the Channel in small boats and leads to the exploitation of vulnerable individuals.
UK ramps up immigration enforcement amid proposed border security legislation
The crackdown aligns with the Labour government’s Border Security, Asylum, and Immigration Bill, which recently moved to its second reading in Parliament. The bill seeks to strengthen measures against criminal groups involved in illegal migration.
From July 5 last year to January 31 this year, arrests related to illegal working rose by 38% compared to the previous year. Employers found guilty of hiring illegal workers now face civil penalties of up to £60,000 per worker.
Eddy Montgomery, Director of Enforcement, Compliance, and Crime at the Home Office, stated:
“These figures demonstrate our commitment to cracking down on those who think they can flout our immigration system. We will continue to ramp up our activity to ensure those involved face full legal consequences.”
The UK government also reported that it had removed more foreign criminals and immigration offenders in January than at any time since 2018. Since the general election in July 2024, a total of 16,400 people have been deported.
The Home Office launched campaigns in Vietnam and Albania using social media to counter misinformation spread by people smugglers. These adverts highlight real-life stories of migrants who entered the UK illegally and later faced debt and exploitation.
Controversy over new immigration bill as opposition criticizes approach
The proposed Border Security, Asylum, and Immigration Bill aims to grant law enforcement greater power, including allowing police to seize mobile phones from individuals entering the UK illegally.
The opposition Conservative Party has strongly criticized the bill, with Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp calling it “a weak bill that won’t stop the boats.”
“Under the leadership of Kemi Badenoch, the Conservatives are proposing stronger, effective reforms to cut immigration. Our country is our home, not a hotel,” Philp said.
The debate over immigration enforcement continues to be a contentious issue in UK politics as authorities ramp up their crackdown on illegal migration.
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