Thousands of migrants working illegally in nail salons, car washes, and restaurants have been arrested as part of the UK government’s efforts to tighten border controls.
Between July 5, when Labour took power, and January 31, 3,930 arrests were made across 5,424 visits by immigration enforcement officers, representing a 38% increase over the previous 12-month period.
Officials believe that people are being sold false promises about their ability to live and work in the UK, encouraging them to embark on dangerous journeys to the country organised by criminal gangs.
However, when officers arrive, they frequently discover illegal workers in deplorable conditions working inhumane hours for employers who are avoiding taxes and undercutting competitors.
Those arrested traveled via a variety of routes, including crossing the English Channel and overstaying their visas, and were discovered in a variety of locations ranging from nail bars to convenience stores.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper stated that the government is increasing enforcement to “record levels”.
“Immigration rules must be followed and enforced. “For far too long, employers have been able to hire and exploit illegal migrants, and far too many people have been able to enter and work illegally with no enforcement action taken,” she 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.”
Last month, there were 828 visits and 609 arrests, the highest number of January actions recorded since 2019.
In January 2024, there were 556 visits and 352 arrests.
In Wales and the West of England, the number of arrests in January more than doubled from the previous year, rising from 45 to 101.
In December, the Vietnamese government launched a social media campaign discouraging people from travelling to the United Kingdom, and Albania followed suit in January.
The advertisements feature stories of migrants who entered the UK illegally, only to face debt, exploitation, and a life far from what they were promised, according to the Home Office.
The drive comes as the Government’s Border Security, Asylum, and Immigration Bill is set to be debated in the House of Commons on its second reading.
It intends to impose a slew of new offences and counterterrorism powers to crack down on people smugglers who transport migrants across the English Channel.
The measures are expected to go into effect as soon as possible after the legislation is approved by MPs and Lords, which is expected to be this year.
According to the plans, those selling and handling boat parts suspected of being used in Channel crossings could face up to 14 years in prison, while anyone at sea during the dangerous journeys who endangers another life could face a five-year prison sentence.
Meanwhile, police and enforcement agencies would be given the authority to seize and search electronic devices prior to arrest if they believe they contain information about organised immigration crime.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer previously pledged to treat people smugglers as “terrorists” in an effort to reduce Channel crossings, but ministers have yet to set a target for reducing the number of arrivals via the smuggler route.
However, human rights group Liberty has warned that the Bill sets a “dangerous precedent” by introducing counter-terrorism-style powers for non-terrorism offenses, while there are insufficient safeguards to prevent people from being prosecuted “needlessly”.
Meanwhile, the International Rescue Committee UK has welcomed the government’s commitment to reforming the asylum system, but it believes that safe routes to the UK should be established for those fleeing conflict and persecution.
Denisa Delic, the IRC advocacy director, said: “Without more safe alternatives for those in need, vulnerable people will continue to be forced into the hands of smugglers and even more dangerous routes as their only option for seeking protection.”
Any new legislation will fail unless there are enough immigration legal aid solicitors available, and we urge the government to allocate adequate resources in conjunction with the Bill.
Richard Atkinson is president of the Law Society of England and Wales.
The Bill repeals the Safety of Rwanda Act, effectively ending the multimillion-pound deal to send migrants to the east African state, as well as parts of the Illegal Migration Act.
Ministers are understood to keep measures out of the law for operational reasons, such as a limit on the number of people who can arrive via safe and legal routes and the length of time migrants can be detained.
Richard Atkinson, president of the Law Society of England and Wales, has urged the Bill to go further by repealing all parts of the Illegal Migration Act as well as the “detrimental” Nationality and Borders Act, while also warning about the need for more immigration legal advice resources.
“Any new legislation will fail unless there are enough immigration legal aid solicitors available and we urge the government to allocate sufficient resources in accompaniment to the Bill,” according to him.
The Conservatives said they had proposed an amendment to the Bill in order to include their own immigration proposals: doubling the time it takes migrants to obtain indefinite leave to remain and waiting five years rather than one before applying for citizenship.
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp stated, “This is a weak Bill that will not stop the boats.
“As the National Crime Agency stated, an effective removals deterrent is required to accomplish this, which Labour has scrapped. Surprisingly, the Bill also restores an illegal migrant’s right to seek indefinite leave to remain.”
A Labour spokesperson stated, “Instead of supporting Labour’s Bill, the Conservatives have come out with a chaotic mixture of reheated ideas and shoddy policies.” They have no credibility because they oversaw soaring small boat crossings and record-breaking net migration.
“This Labour Government has a serious plan to dismantle people-smuggling gangs using counter-terrorism powers, giving law enforcement the ability to pursue these heinous criminals. With removals at a six-year high, Labour is tackling the mess the Conservatives left behind.”
