UK follows Trump's footsteps, cracks down on illegal migrants

In a Trump-style crackdown on illegal immigrants, the UK government has launched a countrywide “blitz,” targeting Indian restaurants, convenience stores, and car washes which mostly employ unlawful migrants.

The UK Home Office reported that it raided 828 premises this year which is a 48% rise as compared to January 2024. It also released a video showing illegal immigrants who are to be deported being taken off a bus and climbing the stairs of the plane.

The office of British Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, who is personally overseeing the crackdown, said the arrests have surged to 609, marking a 73% increase from the previous year.

It said that its team raided all sectors but with a major portion of last month being at restaurants, takeaways, and cafes, including the food, drink, and tobacco industry.

As many as 19,000 people, including failed asylum seekers, foreign criminals and immigration offenders were found since the Labour Party took charge in July last year.

"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.

Between July 5, 2024, and January 31, 2025, arrests of illegal immigrants have risen by around 38% as compared to the same period 12 months prior.

A total of 1,090 civil penalty notices were issued during the same period, with employers facing a fine of up to 60,000 pounds per worker if found liable.

"These figures represent the highest rate of returns seen in the UK since 2018 and include the four biggest returns for charter flights in the UK's history, with a total of more than 850 people on board," the Home Office said.

Eddy Montgomery, Director of Enforcement, Compliance and Crime at the Home Office, has stated that the immigration crackdown would send a message that there was no hiding to escape the law.

"These figures demonstrate the commitment of my teams to crack down on those who think they can flout our immigration system," Montgomery said.

"I hope it sends a strong signal that there is no hiding place from the law, and we will continue to ramp up our activity to ensure those involved face the full consequences. We also know that many people who end up working illegally are often subjected to extremely poor conditions, so we will continue to do all we can to safeguard and protect the most vulnerable," he added.

The crackdown comes at a time when the ruling Labour Party is going to present the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill for a second reading in Parliament this week.

The proposed law gives additional powers to law enforcement through which they can take effective action against organized crime gangs.

However, the Opposition Conservative Party has called it a "weak bill that won't stop the boats" and called for tougher measures against access to permanent residency for all migrants.

"Under the new leadership (of Kemi Badenoch), the Conservatives are coming up with effective and deliverable reforms to cut immigration. Our country is our home, not a hotel," Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said.