Hundreds arrested in January illegal worker blitz, government says
Hundreds of immigrants have been arrested since the beginning of the year as part of a UK-wide crackdown on illegal work, the government said.
As part of the launch of the blitz that began in 2025, the law enforcement team raided 828 venues, including nail bars, car washes and restaurants, and arrested 609 people – a 73% increase from January 2024, and there were The highest number in January since record.
Officials say many immigrants are attracted by false promises of their ability to live and work in the UK, which makes them “risk their lives by crossing the channel”.
This is because the government’s immigration bill is scheduled to be debated by members of Congress again on Monday. Shadow Inside Secretary Chris Philp called it a “weak bill that won’t stop ships.”
The Ministry of Home Affairs said a large portion of the raid last month was conducted in restaurants, takeout and cafes.
It also illustrates examples of arrests conducted by Cheshire vape stores and grocery warehouses in south London.
Those arrested travelled to the UK via a variety of routes, including crossing channels and over-extending legally granted visas.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said the government is elevating law enforcement to a “record level” and immigration rules must be “respectful”.
“For a long time, employers have been able to undertake and take advantage of illegal immigration, too many people can arrive illegally and have no enforcement action taken,” she said.
“This is not only risking people’s lives passing through small boats, but also leading to abuse of vulnerable people, immigration systems and our economy.”
From July to January 31, immigration law enforcement officers arrested more than 5,424 times starting from the Labor government.
A total of 1,090 civil fine notices were issued, and employers face fines up to £60,000 if liability is found.
During the same period, four “largest return flights in British history” were also conducted.
But reform British leader Nigel Farage described the government’s new figures as weak compared to the number of people entering the country.
During the 31 days in January, 1,098 people arrived in the UK illegally by boat.
The government said it launched a social media campaign in Vietnam in December, and Albania in January discouraged travel to the UK.
The ads highlight stories of immigrants who entered the UK illegally, “just face debt, exploitation and a life away from promises,” the Home Office said.
This is because the government’s border security, asylum and immigration bills will be debated in the House of Commons in the second reading.
The bill aims to introduce a new series of crimes And the power of the anti-terrorism style cuts down on those who smugglers will immigrate across the passageway.
But the Labor Secretary has not yet provided a specific goal of when the boat intersection can be expected.
Conservatives say they have Propose an amendment Proposed to the Immigration Act to include their own immigration proposal: how long it takes to get indefinite leave and then ask them to wait five years instead of one person to apply for citizenship.
Philp added that “effective deterrent removal is needed” to block the junction of boats, which he said labor has cancelled, a reference to the former government’s plan to send illegal immigrants to Rwanda.
