The UK government has launched a nationwide crackdown targeting illegal migrants working in Indian restaurants, nail bars, convenience stores, and car washes. This action is inspired by former US President Donald Trump’s approach to immigration enforcement.
The Home Office released a video showing the deportation process, with illegal migrants being taken off a bus and escorted onto a plane, some handcuffed by immigration officers.
According to the Home Office, nearly 19,000 people, including failed asylum seekers and foreign criminals, have been deported since the Labour government took office last July. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper revealed that January saw record enforcement actions, with 828 raids and 609 arrests, marking a significant increase from the previous year.
During one raid at an Indian restaurant in Humberside, seven people were arrested and four others were detained. The Home Office noted that many of these raids targeted restaurants, takeaways, cafes, and the food industry.
Cooper emphasised that illegal migration must be controlled, stating that for too long, employers had been exploiting illegal workers, contributing to human trafficking and economic harm.
The crackdown has led to a 38% increase in arrests and deportations between July 2023 and January 2024, compared to the same period the previous year. This includes the largest charter flights for deportations in UK history, carrying over 850 people. Employers can face fines of up to £60,000 per illegal worker.
Eddy Montgomery, the Home Office’s Director of Enforcement, expressed that this crackdown shows the government’s commitment to enforcing immigration laws and protecting vulnerable workers from exploitation.
In addition to this crackdown, the UK government is preparing to introduce the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill. This bill will grant law enforcement extra powers to combat organised crime and enhance enforcement against illegal migration. The Conservative Party has criticised the bill, arguing it is insufficient and does not address the issue of illegal boat crossings into the UK.
