London: The UK government has intensified its crackdown on illegal working, with Indian restaurants, convenience stores, nail salons, and car washes emerging as key targets. The Home Office described this as part of a nationwide operation to combat unlawful employment, resulting in a significant increase in raids and arrests.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper revealed that in January, Immigration Enforcement teams conducted operations at 828 business premises, marking a 48% rise compared to the same period last year. The number of arrests also saw a sharp increase, reaching 609, which is 73% higher than the previous year.
While enforcement efforts cover all sectors, authorities noted a particular focus on businesses in the food, drink, and tobacco industries. In one instance, a raid on an Indian restaurant in Humberside, northern England, led to seven arrests and four detentions. Cooper emphasized the importance of upholding immigration laws, stating that for too long, employers have exploited undocumented workers without facing consequences. She argued that illegal employment not only encourages dangerous Channel crossings but also leads to the exploitation of vulnerable individuals.
This renewed enforcement comes as the Labour-led government’s Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill moves to its second reading in Parliament. The bill is designed to strengthen border security and combat organized criminal networks facilitating illegal migration. The government claims that its measures are already yielding results, with illegal working enforcement actions rising by 38% between July 2023 and January 2024 compared to the same period a year earlier.
Employers found guilty of hiring undocumented workers now face stricter penalties, with fines reaching up to GBP 60,000 per worker. Home Office Director of Enforcement, Compliance and Crime, Eddy Montgomery, warned that there would be no escape from legal action for those violating immigration rules. He also stressed the need to protect vulnerable individuals trapped in exploitative working conditions.
The Home Office has intensified efforts to remove foreign nationals who violate immigration laws, reporting the deportation of 16,400 individuals since the July 2024 general election. Special chartered flights have facilitated the removal of offenders, including individuals convicted of serious crimes such as drug offenses, theft, rape, and murder. Some of these flights have been among the largest migrant deportations in UK history, carrying over 800 people.
As part of its deterrence strategy, the UK government has launched international awareness campaigns to counter misinformation spread by people smugglers. In December, social media ads in Vietnam and Albania featured real stories of migrants who were misled into entering the UK illegally, only to face exploitation and financial burdens.
The new Border Security Bill seeks to grant law enforcement broader powers, such as the authority to seize mobile phones from illegal entrants before arrest. However, the Opposition Conservative Party has criticized the legislation, calling it inadequate and pushing for even stricter immigration controls, including tighter restrictions on permanent residency. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp stated that under new leadership, the Conservatives are developing stronger policies to curb immigration, asserting that “the UK is our home, not a hotel.”
