Border staff make significant progress
Border staff have made a significant number of arrests, totaling nearly 4,000, of migrants working illegally in the UK within just seven months. More than 5,400 businesses, including nail bars, car washes, and takeaways, have been raided as part of the crackdown.
Exploitation and fines
Many of the individuals apprehended were small-boat migrants or had overstayed their visas, often working for cash in hand and in poor conditions. The firms employing them could face fines of up to £60,000 per worker, with 1,090 civil penalty notices issued since last July.
Government crackdown and debate
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper criticized the rogue employers, emphasizing that the exploitation of illegal migrants has gone unchecked for too long, leading to issues such as small-boat crossings and the abuse of vulnerable individuals. The government is under pressure to reduce these crossings, especially as support for Reform UK grows. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer aims to tackle people-smuggling gangs, but over 1,000 migrants have already crossed the Channel this year. MPs are set to discuss the Borders Bill, which would grant immigration officers enhanced powers to combat traffickers.
