UK’s crackdown on illegal immigrant workers hits Indian restaurants

London: The crackdown in the UK against illegal immigrants has extended to Indian restaurants, nail bars, convenience stores and car washes which employ such individuals.

The Home Office described the action as a UK-wide blitz on illegal working in the country. Secretary Yvette Cooper said her department’s Immigration Enforcement teams raided 828 premises in January, a 48% increase year-on-year. 609 people were arrested, marking a 73 per cent increase from the previous year, reported PTI.

The department said that a significant action was taken against restaurants, takeaways and cafes as well as in the food, drink and tobacco industry. Seven individuals were arrested from an Indian restaurant in Humberside, northern England.

The home office also stressed that the teams were taking action against illegal working conditions in all sectors. “The immigration rules must be respected and enforced. For far too long, employers have been able to take on and exploit illegal migrants and too many people have been able to arrive and work illegally with no enforcement action ever taken,” Cooper said.

“Not only does this create a dangerous draw for people to risk their lives by crossing the Channel in a small boat, but it results in the abuse of vulnerable people, the immigration system, and our economy,” she added.

The Labour Party government, led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, will table the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill for a second reading in the country’s Parliament this week. The bill aims to “smash the criminal gangs” that the government accuses of undermining border security.