A major surge in immigration enforcement activity across the UK
has led to a 51% rise in the number of arrests since the
election, as part of a Home Office drive to disable the illegal
working trade in the UK.
Immigration Enforcement teams have intensified activity in towns,
cities and villages to tackle those abusing the UK immigration
system and exploiting vulnerable people. It forms part of the
government's efforts to crack down on organised immigration crime
at every level under the Plan for Change and end the false
promise of jobs used to sell spaces on small boats.
Since 5 July last year to 31 May, 9,000 visits have resulted in
6,410 arrests, marking a 48% and 51% rise
respectively compared to the year
before under the previous government (5 July 2023 to 31 May
2024).
Particular focus has been on tackling employers facilitating
illegal working, often subjecting migrants to squalid conditions
and illegal working hours below minimum wage. Restaurants, nail
bars and construction sites have been among the thousands of
businesses targeted.
The new measures come alongside a ramp-up of operational activity
to restore control of the immigration system, including the
return of nearly 30,000 people with no right to be in the
UK.
Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Dame , said:
For too long, employers have been able to take on and exploit
migrants, with people allowed to arrive and work here illegally.
This will no longer be tolerated on our watch. That's why we
are ramping up our enforcement activity and introducing tougher
laws to finally get a grip of our immigration and asylum
system.
Under our Plan for Change, we will continue to root out
unscrupulous employers and disrupt illegal workers who undermine
our border security.
It is a legal requirement for employers to carry out Right to
Work checks and those who fail to do so face hefty penalties
including fines of up to £60,000 per worker, director
disqualifications and potential prison sentences of up to five
years.
Director of Enforcement, Compliance and Crime at Immigration
Enforcement Eddy Montgomery said:
Our work to tackle illegal working is vital in not only bringing
the guilty to account, but also in protecting vulnerable people
from exploitation.
I'm incredibly proud of our enforcement teams across the country
for their hard work, skill and co-operation on these often
challenging but highly important operations.
During one major co-ordinated operation in March, officers made
36 arrests at a construction site in Belfast's historic Titanic
Quarter. Offences ranged from breaching visa conditions to
illegal entry in the UK with no permission to work.
Elsewhere, 9 arrests were made at a caravan park in Surrey last
month following intelligence individuals were working illegally
as delivery drivers in the gig economy.
Meanwhile, 9 people were also arrested in Bradford in March as
officers intercepted a popular illegal working pick up point in
Naples Street.
Ramping up illegal working enforcement activity forms a key part
of the Home Office's drive to restore order to the immigration
system under the UK Government's Plan for Change.
In many cases, individuals travelling to the UK illegally are
sold a lie by smuggling gangs that they will be able to live and
work freely in the UK, when in reality they often end up facing
squalid living conditions, minimal pay and inhumane working
hours, with the threat of arrest and removal if they are caught
working illegally.
In the latest move to restore order to the asylum and immigration
system, the government is also introducing tough new laws to
clamp down on illegal working by extending Right to Work checks
on those hiring gig economy and zero-hours workers in sectors
like construction, food delivery, beauty salons and courier
services.
