The UK Labour government yesterday started nationwide mass raids against illegal workers in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. This has drawn echoes of former U.S. President Donald Trump’s hard-line immigration policies. The campaign, described as a “UK-wide blitz,” focuses on sectors like Indian restaurants, nail bars, convenience stores, and car washes that frequently employ migrant workers.
Record-Breaking Immigration Raids in January
Under the supervision of British Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, the Home Office has reported record-breaking activity in January. Authorities raided 828 premises, marking a 48% increase compared to the same period last year, with arrests surging by 73% to 609.
“The immigration rules need to be respected and enforced. For far too long, employers have been allowed to take on and exploit illegal migrants, and too many people have been allowed to arrive and work illegally without any enforcement action ever being taken,” said Ms. Cooper.
According to the Home Office, though intelligence on illegal working is monitored across different sectors, a large percentage of January’s enforcement was conducted in restaurants, takeaways, cafes, and industries connected with food, drink, and tobacco. One such raid at an Indian restaurant in Humberside, northern England, led to seven arrests and four detentions.
Labour Government’s “Show, Not Tell” Strategy
With Reform UK soaring in the polls, Prime Minister Keir Starmer is being squeezed to show that his government is serious about curbing illegal immigration. Labour has adopted a “show, not tell” approach, playing footage of deportation flights with individuals being escorted onto charter jets.
The government has used bespoke charter flights to deport “immigration offenders” globally. Recent flights include four of the largest migrant deportations in UK history, removing over 800 individuals. Those on these flights reportedly include criminals convicted of drug offenses, theft, rape, and murder.
In a historic first, the government published footage of deportations – the removals of nearly 19,000 foreign criminals and illegal migrants since Labour took office. One was that of a deportee with his hands shackled, accompanied by several Border Force officers.
Deter Illegal Immigration with Media Campaigns
The Home Office also plans an international media campaign to deter illegal migration.
The Home Office said “We are also working upstream to deter people from entering the UK illegally by launching a new international campaign to debunk people smugglers’ lies. Social media adverts went live in Vietnam in December and Albania in January, highlighting real stories from migrants who entered the UK illegally, only to face debt, exploitation, and a life far from what they were promised.”
The public must have confidence in the UK’s immigration system.
Through our Plan for Change, we have removed almost 19,000 people including failed asylum seekers, foreign criminals and immigration offenders from the UK since July 2024. pic.twitter.com/QY4tpQDqSP
— Home Office (@ukhomeoffice) February 10, 2025
Illegal Working Crackdowns and Rising Penalties
Home Office statistics reveal a sharp increase in enforcement efforts. Between July 5, 2023, and January 31, 2024, crackdowns and arrests related to illegal working surged by 38% compared to the previous year. Officials issued 1,090 civil penalty notices during this period, with employers facing fines of up to GBP 60,000 per illegal worker if found guilty.
“These statistics reflect the determination of my teams to take the action necessary against those who believe they can flout our immigration system,” Eddy Montgomery, Director of Enforcement, Compliance and Crime at the Home Office 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 so that those involved face the full consequences of the law,” he added. “We also know 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.”.
The work of the Immigration Enforcement teams is also profound; they collaborate with organizations to help employees report labor exploitation.
Labour’s Immigration Bill Returns to Parliament
The crackdown comes during the second reading into Parliament of Labour government’s Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill which seeks to break down organized criminal networks that would facilitate illegal immigration.
The bill seeks to expand law enforcement powers, allowing authorities to take early action against organized crime groups. Measures include seizing mobile phones from individuals who enter the UK illegally before their arrest.
Conservatives Call for Tougher Measures
The Opposition Conservative Party has criticized the bill as too lenient.
“Under 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,” said Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp.
The Tories have argued that the Labour government’s proposals do not go far enough to curb illegal crossings and prevent access to permanent residency for all migrants.
As political pressure mounts, the Labour government continues to drive enforcement measures but moves ahead with controversial immigration policy debates. The next few weeks will determine whether Labour’s Immigration reforms will be passed into law as Parliament will debate the new bill.
