Sham immigration lawyers who look to cheat the system will have
their cash confiscated under new powers.
Under proposals set out by the Home Office today, new powers
under the Proceeds of Crime Act will be extended to the
Immigration Advice Authority, enabling them to seize the criminal
profits of unscrupulous advisers.
That money will be reinvested into frontline policing and border
security, using dirty money to shut down the networks it once
funded. This includes funding the cutting edge Multi Agency Cash
Cell at the border, which brings together government and law
enforcement agencies to disrupt the flow of criminal finance into
the country.
The move will stop rogue advisers lining their pockets by
offering unlawful immigration advice. For the first time, the IAA
will be able to trace and freeze assets, claw back illegal
earnings and bring offenders to justice, without relying on
police support.
People illegally posing as immigration lawyers and advisers can
make thousands of pounds out of their ‘services'. In one case,
one bogus adviser raked in over half a million pounds by preying
on desperate people. In another, 3 rogue immigration advisers
pocketed over £3 million by targeting victims online and offering
advice on visa applications and how to challenge deportations.
These new proposals would allow the IAA to go further and faster
in recovering the cash from crooks.
Rogue immigration ‘lawyers' often act as middlemen for those
looking to abuse the immigration system or cash in by providing
shoddy or outright fraudulent immigration advice.
Proceeds of Crime Act powers play a significant role in the
criminal justice system, disrupting and deterring crime by
depriving offenders of illicit gains.
Security Minister said:
Rogue immigration advisers exploiting our system will pay the
price.
By backing the Immigration Advice Authority with tough new
powers, we're stripping criminals of their dirty money and using
it to strengthen our borders and keep our streets safe.
The changes will be made following a consultation, which will run
till the end of the year.
This comes on top of new powers given to the Immigration Advice
Authority under the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill,
which will see people posing as immigration lawyers facing fines
of up to £15,000.
And as the bill progresses through Parliament, the government is
stepping up operational action to secure our borders. Over 35,000
people with no right to be here have been returned and we are
working with the French to scale up the return of migrants. This
government makes no apologies for cracking down on illegal
migration and will do whatever it to takes to secure our borders.
