Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Sunak joins raid on illegal migrants in UK, 105 arrested

Suspects were arrested for various offenses, including engaging in illegal employment and possessing counterfeit documentation

Sunak joins raid on illegal migrants in UK, 105 arrested

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, accompanied UK Home Office enforcement officials on a raid as a part of a nationwide crackdown on illegal migration. The operation resulted in the arrest of 105 foreign nationals representing 20 different nationalities.

Donning a bulletproof vest, Sunak, 43 participated in one of the actions that took place in Brent, north London, earlier in the week. His presence aimed to observe the Immigration Enforcement officers at work as part of their "day of action."


The prime minister has made cracking down on illegal migration one of his government's top priorities ahead of a general election, expected next year.

“Illegal working harms our communities, cheats honest workers out of employment and defrauds the public purse as no taxes are paid,” said UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman.

“As the Prime Minister has set out, we are committed to tackling the abuse of our laws and borders. We know the prospect of black-market employment is a significant attraction for migrants considering making dangerous and illegal journeys to the UK.? Operations such as today send a clear message that we will not stand for this,” she said.

Throughout the operation conducted on Thursday (15) across the UK, a total of 105 foreign nationals were apprehended by Immigration Enforcement officers.

These individuals were discovered working without the necessary authorization in 159 raids conducted on suspected establishments engaged in illegal employment. The arrests occurred at various commercial premises, such as restaurants, car washes, nail bars, barber shops, and convenience stores.

Suspects were arrested for various offenses, including engaging in illegal employment and possessing counterfeit documentation. Furthermore, sums of money were confiscated at certain premises during the operation.

Out of the total arrests made, more than 40 individuals were detained by the Home Office, awaiting their removal from the UK. The remaining suspects were released on immigration bail. The Home Office also anticipates that several of the arrests will lead to voluntary departures from the UK.

“This result demonstrates the dedication and professionalism of our officers to take action against immigration offenders, as well as employers who are not complying with the rules.

Our enforcement teams are working around the clock to deter immigration offending and help protect the public,” said Eddy Montgomery, Director of Enforcement, Compliance and Crime at the Home Office.

“Working closely with partners and agencies including the police and the National Crime Agency (NCA), we are tackling illegal work at every level. It is vital that we not only identify individuals in breach of immigration law but target the people smuggling networks behind this type of criminal activity,” he said.

Offenders from more than 20 different nationalities were discovered working in the UK without the appropriate visa rights. However, the specific countries involved have not been disclosed.

The Home Office said that this operation is an extension of the continuous efforts undertaken by Immigration Enforcement officers to combat illegal employment, which forms an integral part of the government's strategy to address the issue of unauthorized crossings of the English Channel.

The operation is aimed at tackling illegal migration by breaking the business model of criminal gangs who use the offer of black-market jobs as one way to draw people to the UK illegally, officials added.

In the first quarter of 2023, Immigration Enforcement teams claim they delivered 1,303 enforcement visits, a 57 per cent increase on the same period last year. And, since Sunak set out his plan in December last year to “stop the boats” crossing illegally into the UK, arrests are said to have doubled compared to the same period last year.

(PTI)

More For You

uk-snow-getty

People drive their cars past a landscape covered in snow and along the Snake pass road, in the Peak district, northern England. (Photo: Getty Images)

UK records coldest January night in 15 years at -17.3 degrees Celsius

THE UK recorded its coldest January night in 15 years as temperatures dropped to -17.3 degrees Celsius in Altnaharra, Sutherland, by 9 pm on Friday.

This is the lowest January temperature since 2010, when Altnaharra hit -22.3 degrees Celsius on 8 January, The Guardian reported.

Keep ReadingShow less
Chandra Arya

Arya, who represents Nepean in Ottawa and was born in India's Karnataka, made the announcement on X. (Photo: X/@AryaCanada)

Liberal MP Chandra Arya declares bid for prime minister of Canada

CANADA’s Asian MP Chandra Arya has announced his candidacy for the prime ministership, just hours before the Liberal Party confirmed that its next leader will be selected on 9 March.

Arya’s announcement comes days after prime minister Justin Trudeau declared his decision to step down while continuing in office until a new leader is chosen.

Keep ReadingShow less
Exclusive: 'Starmer must fill NHS staffing defecit'
Dr Chaand Nagpaul

Exclusive: 'Starmer must fill NHS staffing defecit'

LABOUR's latest announcement to cut NHS waiting lists, while welcome, does not go far enough, the former leader of the doctors’ union, Chaand Nagpaul has told Eastern Eye.

Prime minister, Sir Keir Starmer, unveiled his plans on Monday (6). He pledged Labour would set up more NHS hubs in community locations in England, and the service would make greater use of the private sector to help meet the challenge.

Keep ReadingShow less
Exclusive: 'Stop spreading racial hatred'
Nazir Afzal

Exclusive: 'Stop spreading racial hatred'

POLITICIANS must dial down “dangerous and inflammatory” rhetoric and recognise the contributions of all communities in Britain, prominent south Asians have told Eastern Eye.

They are concerned that recent social media attacks on asylum seekers, immigrants, especially British Pakistanis, as well as ministers will lead to unnecessary deaths.

Keep ReadingShow less
Lisa-Nandy-Getty

The culture secretary retains powers to refer the case to the Competition and Markets Authority, which could trigger an investigation into press freedom concerns linked to Abu Dhabi’s involvement. (Photo: Getty Images)

Calls grow for Lisa Nandy to end Telegraph ownership stalemate

THE SALE of The Telegraph newspaper has drawn widespread political calls for culture secretary Lisa Nandy to intervene and end the prolonged uncertainty surrounding its ownership.

The newspaper has been in limbo for 20 months after an auction process initiated by RedBird IMI, an Abu Dhabi-backed investment fund, failed to secure a suitable buyer.

Keep ReadingShow less