London Crackdown on Illegal Migrant Workers Sees Nearly 4,000 Arrests

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February 10, 2025
6 min read

London Crackdown on Illegal Migrant Workers Sees Nearly 4,000 Arrests

The government has intensified its UK crackdown on illegal migration, with nearly 4,000 migrants arrested in the past year for working unlawfully in nail bars, car washes, and restaurants. The large-scale operation, led by the Home Office and the National Crime Agency, targeted businesses and homes across London and the South East, uncovering cases of exploitation, fraud, and unsafe working conditions.

The Home Office reports that enforcement activity has increased by 38% compared to the previous 12 months, with 5,424 visits carried out by immigration officers across the country. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said the government is taking a firm stance on illegal working, stating:

“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.”

The government has also announced plans to broadcast footage of deportations in an attempt to deter illegal migration (The Guardian). However, critics warn that such measures could be controversial and dehumanising, sparking fresh debate on the ethics of immigration enforcement.

In London, raids were carried out at locations including a Herne Hill car wash, a grocery warehouse in South London, and flats in Enfield, resulting in multiple arrests. Video footage showed officers detaining at least four individuals at the car wash, while others were taken into custody from a beauty salon in Tonbridge, Kent. Further north, eleven arrests were made at an Indian restaurant in Humberside, and ten people were held in Cheshire after an operation targeting vape shops selling counterfeit documents.

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“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. This creates a dangerous pull factor for people to risk their lives crossing the Channel in small boats and leads to the abuse of vulnerable individuals.”

The growing trend of migrants being lured into illegal work by organised crime gangs has raised concerns among authorities. Many of those arrested were promised legitimate employment, only to find themselves trapped in exploitative conditions, working long hours for low wages. Officials argue that such operations not only enforce immigration law but also protect vulnerable people from modern slavery.

One of the most notorious smugglers, Amanj Hasan Zada, was jailed for 17 years last November after being found guilty of arranging small boat crossings from his Lancashire home. The Iranian national had previously boasted about being “the best smuggler”, making thousands from facilitating illegal journeys.

In a bid to discourage migrants from making the journey, the UK launched a social media campaign in Vietnam and Albania, warning of the harsh realities of illegal work. According to the Home Office, the campaign highlights personal stories of migrants who entered the UK illegally, only to face debt, exploitation, and disappointment.

The UK crackdown coincides with Labour’s Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill, which is currently being debated in the House of Commons. If passed, the bill would introduce new offences and counter-terror powers to target the people smugglers behind Channel crossings. Under the proposed law, individuals involved in selling or handling boat parts suspected of being used for illegal crossings could face up to 14 years in prison. Additionally, anyone endangering a life at sea during a smuggling operation could receive a five-year jail sentence.

The bill would also give police and immigration enforcement officers greater powers, allowing them to search electronic devices before an arrest if they suspect a connection to organised immigration crime.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has vowed to treat people smugglers as terrorists, yet ministers have stopped short of setting targets for reducing Channel crossings.

Despite the UK crackdown and government’s firm stance, the proposed changes have sparked debate over human rights concerns. The advocacy group Liberty warns that treating illegal migration with counter-terror measures could set a dangerous precedent, while the International Rescue Committee UK has called for safer legal routes for people fleeing conflict and persecution.

Meanwhile, the Conservatives have amended the bill to propose longer waiting periods for indefinite leave to remain, making migrants wait five years instead of one before applying for citizenship. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp has dismissed Labour’s approach, stating:

“This is a weak bill that won’t stop the boats. The National Crime Agency has made it clear that an effective removals deterrent is needed to tackle this crisis, yet Labour has scrapped it.”

Labour has hit back, claiming that the bill is a serious plan to tackle smuggling gangs, while also removing illegal migrants at record levels. A Labour spokesperson said:

“Instead of supporting Labour’s bill, the Conservatives have cobbled together a chaotic mix of reheated ideas and shoddy policies. This government is serious about smashing the people-smuggling gangs with counter-terror style powers, while fixing the mess the Tories left behind.”

With record-high enforcement numbers in January and more arrests expected, the debate over border security, asylum laws, and human rights is set to continue.

For more updates on UK immigration policy, crime, and government action, visit EyeOnLondon. We’d love to hear your views on this. Share your thoughts in the comments.