Nearly 4,000 illegal migrants arrested in seven months during raids on UK businesses like car washes and nail bars.
Places like nail bars and car washes were targeted. Takeaways also got checked by staff. Many migrants arrived in small boats, while others stayed longer than their visas allowed.
These workers often got paid cash, and their living conditions were really bad. Companies face huge fines for hiring; the fine can be £60,000 per illegal worker. Officials issued 1,090 fines since July.
The Home Secretary is angry with these bosses. She said they exploited migrants for too long, which she thinks encourages more boat crossings. It also hurts vulnerable people and Britain.
The government wants to reduce boat crossings. They scrapped a certain deportation plan. The Prime Minister wants to stop smuggling gangs. Yet, over 1,000 migrants already crossed this year.
Parliament will debate a Borders Bill soon. It gives officers special powers, so they can find human traffickers easier now. A huge number of migrants came since 2018.
The Home Office reports some interesting details. They didn’t say how many returned home, nor how many remain in shelters now. About 800 deportations did happen, though. This is still less than those arriving currently. The crackdown is just beginning, really.