UKBA - Enforcement News Thread

Five illegal workers arrested in Aberdeen

01 March 2013

Two shops in Aberdeen have been found employing five illegal workers following a UK Border Agency operation.

Acting on intelligence officers targeted two shops, Discount Stores and American Candy Co, on Union Street, Aberdeen, on 28 February.

After checking the immigration statuses of staff, officers discovered five Pakistani men, aged 23 to 28, who were working illegally. Two of the men were arrested in the American Candy Co and the other three in the Discount Store. It is believed that the men worked between both shops and lived at shared accommodation in the Cornhill area of Aberdeen.

All five are currently in detention, pending their removal from the UK.

The businesses, which were closed as a result of all the staff being arrested, will be served with a civil penalty notice for employing the illegal workers.
If the owners are unable to provide evidence that legally required checks were carried out before giving the workers a job - such as asking for a passport or a Home Office document - a fine of up to £10,000 per illegal worker will be imposed.

Adam Scarcliffe, UK Border Agency said:


'Foreign nationals who are in this country illegally should be in no doubt that they will be found, arrested and removed from the UK.

'Employing illegal workers undercuts honest businesses and defrauds the public purse. There is no excuse for using illegal labour, and if businesses ignore our immigration laws, they face heavy fines.'

Every year, the UK Border Agency imposes civil penalties on hundreds of companies which have failed to carry out legally-required checks on their staff.

Employers unsure of the steps they need to take to avoid employing illegal workers can visit our Preventing illegal working pages, or they can call the agency's employers helpline on 0300 123 4699.

Anyone with information about immigration offenders can report crime on this website, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Source:-
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/s...ukborderagency+(UK+Border+Agency+latest+news)

I will be walking down Union Street in a couple of weeks so I will check these places out.....

Three arrested following raid in Whitechapel

05 March 2013

Three illegal workers have been arrested following a UK Border Agency raid on a clothes shop in Whitechapel.

Acting on intelligence, officers visited Cuckoo Fashions, Whitechapel Road, on Tuesday 5 March where they questioned staff to check if they had the right to work in the UK.

They arrested a 23-year-old Indian man and Bangladeshi women aged 21 and 26 for overstaying their visas.

All are currently in immigration detention while the UK Border Agency takes steps to remove them from the country at the earliest opportunity.

The business was served a notice warning the employers that a fine of up to £30,000 - £10,000 per illegal worker found on the shop premises - will be imposed unless proof is provided to the UK Border Agency that the correct right-to-work checks were carried out.

Steve Fisher from the UK Border Agency said:


'We regularly carry out operations like this in London and where we find people who are in the UK illegally we will seek to remove them.

'Illegal working has a serious impact on communities, undermining legitimate businesses and taking jobs from those who are genuinely allowed to work.

'More visits like this are being planned for London and while we're happy to work with businesses to let them know what checks need to be done on staff, those who do break the law should know that we are out there looking for them and they will face heavy fines.'

Anyone with information about immigration offenders can report crime on this website, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Source:-
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2013/march/08-raid-whitechapel

Eight illegal workers found at Campbeltown restaurant

06 March 2013

Eight immigration offenders face removal from the country after they were arrested by UK Border Agency officers in an operation at a Campbeltown restaurant.

Acting on intelligence, officers from the agency, assisted by Strathclyde police, visited the Bangladesh Tandoori in Bolgam Street on Tuesday 5 March.

Checks on the immigration status of staff revealed eight men from Bangladesh who were working illegally. Seven men were taken into UK Border Agency detention while arrangements are made to remove them from the UK. One man must report regularly to the police while an outstanding immigration case is concluded.

The business will be served with a civil penalty notice for employing the illegal workers. If the employers are unable to provide evidence that legally required pre employment checks were carried out before giving the workers a job, a fine of up to £80,000 will be imposed.

Adam Scarcliffe, assistant director of the UK Border Agency in Scotland said:


'The message for anyone living and working in Scotland illegally is clear - we will track you down and remove you from the country.

'We're happy to work with businesses to let them know what checks need to be made on staff, but those who break the law should know that they will face heavy fines.'

Every year, the UK Border Agency imposes civil penalties on hundreds of companies which have failed to carry out legally-required checks on their staff.

Employers unsure of the steps they need to take to avoid employing illegal workers can visit our Preventing illegal working pages, or they can call the agency's employers helpline on 0300 123 4699.

Anyone with information about immigration offenders can report crime on this website, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Source:-
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2013/march/10-campbeltown

Agreed.

These stories are always very positive, but it would be very interesting to have some follow-up.

What happens to the detained illegals?
Are they removed from the UK within days,
or do taxpayer funded lawyers spend years defending their Human rights.

And what about replacement staff?
It would be very difficult to employ native Brits in a Bradford curry house.

Maybe these people were just passing through

Six arrested following raid in West Yorkshire

11 March 2013

Six illegal workers have been arrested following a UK Border Agency raid on a bed factory in Wakefield.

Acting on intelligence, and with assistance from West Yorkshire police, officers visited Times Beds, Warneford Avenue, Ossett, on Wednesday 6 March where they questioned staff to check if they had the right to work in the UK.

A 27-year-old Indian man and Pakistani men aged 27 and 30 were found to have overstayed their visas, Pakistani men aged 28 and 42 had entered the country illegally while a 26-year-old Indian man was arrested as an illegal worker.

All are currently in immigration detention while the UK Border Agency takes steps to remove them from the country at the earliest opportunity.

The business will be served a notice warning the employers that a fine of up to £60,000 - £10,000 per illegal worker found on the factory premises - will be imposed unless proof is provided to the UK Border Agency that the correct right-to-work checks were carried out.

Ian Milner UK Border Agency said:

'We regularly carry out operations like this in Yorkshire and where we find people who are in the UK illegally we will seek to remove them.

'Illegal working has a serious impact on communities, undermining legitimate businesses and taking jobs from those who are genuinely allowed to work.

'While we're happy to work with businesses to let them know what checks need to be done on staff, those who do break the law should know that we are out there looking for them and they will face heavy fines.

'We do not underestimate the value of community based intelligence and act quickly to investigate allegations.'

Anyone with information about immigration offenders can report crime on this website, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Source:-
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2013/march/13-ossett

Immigration offenders caught in Belfast

11 March 2013

Two immigration offenders were arrested by the UK Border Agency on Thursday 7 March in Belfast.

Acting on intelligence the officers targeted two residential addresses in the south of the city and checked the status of those living there.

At the first address in the Malone Road area a 31-year-old Malawian woman who is registered as a student in Ireland was arrested for illegally entering and working in the UK.

A 39-year-old Algerian man was arrested later at an address in the Donegall Road area also for illegal entry and working without permission.

They are both currently in UK Border Agency detention in Larne House, Larne while steps are taken to remove them from the UK.

Mike Golden UK Border Agency, said:

'Foreign nationals who are in this country illegally should be in no doubt that they will be found, arrested and removed from the UK.

'We are determined to crack down on illegal immigrants and anyone found living or working here illegally is liable to be detained and removed.'

Anyone with information about immigration offenders can report crime on this website, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Source:-
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2013/march/14-belfast-two

Kitchen workers detained in Weymouth immigration raid

11 March 2013

Two Bangladeshi illegal workers have been arrested in a UK Border Agency raid on a Weymouth restaurant.

Acting on information received, officers went to Balti House, Commercial Road, on Thursday 7 March and questioned staff about their immigration status.

Checks revealed that a 24-year-old kitchen worker was a failed asylum seeker who had not left the country after his claim for protection was turned down.

A second kitchen worker, aged 46, was found to have over-stayed his visa.

The men were arrested and taken to Weymouth police station for further questioning. They are due to be transferred to immigration detention to await removal from the UK.

Phil Reay UK Border Agency said:

'We are creating a hostile environment for illegal immigrants and offenders should know that there is no hiding place in Dorset.

'Illegal immigration puts undue pressure on public services, local communities and legitimate businesses.

'As well as the workers, we are looking to target businesses which employ illegal labour and who encourage illegal immigration in the process.'

Balti House now faces a penalty of up to £20,000 - £10,000 for each illegal worker. To avoid a fine, the employers must provide evidence that the correct right-to-work checks were carried out like taking copies of a Home Office document or passport.

Every year, the UK Border Agency imposes civil penalties on hundreds of companies which fail to carry out legally-required checks on their staff.

Anyone with information about immigration offenders can report crime on this website, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Source:-
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2013/march/15-weymouth

Man jailed over trafficking teenagers

12 March 2013

On Monday 11 March a man from north London was jailed for 14 years for being involved in the trafficking of two Nigerian teenagers, following a joint UK Border Agency, Border Force and Sussex police investigation.

Odosa Usiobaifo, 35, of Keats Close, Scotland Green Road, Enfield, was found guilty of conspiring to traffick for the purposes of sexual exploitation following a four-week trial at Isleworth crown court. He pleaded guilty to conspiring to facilitate illegal immigration earlier on in the trial.

The jury heard how the girls, who were aged 14 and 15 at the time, were stopped by Border Force officers at Heathrow airport separately on 17 September and 23 November 2011 using false passports showing they were adults. They had arrived on flights from Lagos and were attempting to transit to Paris.

During interviews with the Serious Organised Crime Agency's Vulnerable Persons team it became clear that the pair were being trafficked to mainland Europe, via London, for the purposes of sexual exploitation.

They were placed in local authority care but on 6 April 2012 were reported missing to Sussex police by their respective foster carers.

Investigations revealed that contact had been made with the girls and Usiobaifo had collected them from a pre-arranged meeting point before they were given false passports and tickets and placed on a flight to Spain.

One of the girls was refused entry to Spain and returned to the UK. She remains in the care of the UK authorities. The other passed through Spanish border controls and is still missing.

Usiobaifo was arrested at his flat in Enfield on 3 September 2012 alongside his partner Katie Igha, 25.

On Thursday 7 March a jury found Usiobaifo guilty of all charges but acquitted Igha of trafficking. They failed to reach a verdict on a charge of conspiring to facilitate against Igha.

Senior investigating officer Jonathan Bush, from the UK Border Agency's criminal and financial investigation team, said:

'We believe our investigation has disrupted a significant organised crime group suspected of being involved in the trafficking of young women into Europe through London.

'The ordeal these girls went through was horrific and tragically one of them remains missing.

'Working with Border Force, the police and SOCA we are determined to do all we can to stop the abhorrent crime of trafficking.'

Chief Inspector Jo Banks, who led the Sussex police investigation into the girls' disappearance, said:

'This was a joint investigation with the UK Border Agency that led to the identification of Usiobaifo, and after a complex investigation showed his involvement in an organised crime group with the aim of trafficking young women for sexual exploitation.

'The two girls went through a turbulent ordeal, clearly aware of what was intended for them, and under the control of the traffickers. We will continue to search for girl who remains missing.'

A joint UK Border Agency and Border Force investigation, codenamed Operation Hudson, has involved law enforcement agencies in Britain and abroad. It is targeting a number of organised crime groups suspected of trafficking young women, via London, for the purposes of sexual exploitation.

Anyone with information about immigration offenders can report crime on this website, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Source:-
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2013/march/16-usiobaifo

I wonder what actualy happens if these are Ltd companies they could fold and reopen as a new one?

Illegal worker detained at Inverness restaurant

13 March 2013

An illegal worker from Bangladesh faces removal from the country after he was arrested by our officers in an operation at an Inverness restaurant.

Acting on intelligence, our officers from the agency visited the Indian Ocean in Academy Street on the 5 March.

Checks on the immigration status of staff revealed a man from Bangladesh who was working illegally, having overstayed his visa. He was taken into detention by us while arrangements are made to remove him from the UK.

The business will be served with a fine notice for employing the illegal worker. If the employers are unable to provide evidence that legally required pre employment checks were carried out before giving the worker a job, a fine of up to £10,000 will be imposed.

Adam Scarcliffe, assistant director, UK Border Agency, Scotland, said:


"The message for anyone living and working in Scotland illegally is clear - we will track you down and remove you from the country.

'We're happy to work with businesses to let them know what checks need to be made on staff, but those who break the law should know that they will face heavy fines.'

Every year, we issue fines on hundreds of companies which have failed to carry out legally-required checks on their staff.

Employers unsure of the steps they need to take to avoid employing illegal workers can visit our Preventing illegal working pages, or they can call the agency's employers helpline on 0300 123 4699.

Anyone with information about immigration offenders can report crime on this website, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Source:-
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2013/march/19-illegal-inverness

Sham marriage gang jailed

13 March 2013

Eleven members of a sham marriage gang have been jailed for more than 18 years on 6 March at Manchester crown court.

The gang helped and took part in a series of sham marriage ceremonies mainly in the Blackburn area of Lancashire in an attempt to illegally gain leave to remain in the UK for a number of Indian nationals.

The weddings took place at registry offices in Blackburn, Wrexham and Chester between Portuguese brides and the Indian grooms. The ceremonies took place often without any communication between the couples.

The gang was caught following our investigation into the marriages, which were conducted between February 2011 and July 2012.

The brides would fly into the UK on pre arranged flights to visit the UK for short periods. They would apply for documents and National Insurance numbers, after which they 'married', enabling the Indians to apply for European Economic Area (EEA) residency status as spouses of EEA nationals.

The court heard how Maria Loureiro, a 54-year-old Portuguese national, living in London was the main facilitator in the weddings. She regularly accompanied the brides as they arrived at UK airports, acted as a translator during the weddings and waited outside while some of weddings took place. She was sentenced to 45 months years after pleading guilty to helping with the entry of non EU persons into the UK.

Six of the gang members pleaded guilty to conspiracy to attempt to breach immigration law at Manchester Crown Court in December last year. On 7 February this year the remaining 6 also pleaded guilty to the same offences.

Nick Wood, Head of North West immigration crime team, said:

'These sentences send out a clear message that we will not tolerate abuse of our immigration system.

'Those who facilitate and take part in sham marriages are breaking the law and will be held accountable for their actions.

'The UK Border Agency is cracking down on abuse of the marriage system and those who seek to cheat immigration law face prosecution and conviction.'

Alison Cartmell, Senior cown prosecutor, CPS North West Area, said:

The Crown Prosecution Service was able to present a very strong case against the defendants owing to the extensive evidence that was obtained by the UKBA, in particular surveillance footage of the weddings which showed the main facilitator, Maria Loureiro, present.

'Entering into a sham marriage is a serious offence and has a detrimental economic impact on the country and its resources.

'The CPS is determined to prosecute those who breach UK immigration laws and participants in sham marriages will be brought to justice.'

Councillor Andy Kay, executive member for Resources, Blackburn with Darwen council, said:

'Councils like Blackburn with Darwen play a crucial role in tackling organised sham marriages. Often without the vigilance of registrars these crimes would go undetected and our staff are always on alert for any type of fraud.

'We are proud that our efforts in Blackburn with Darwen are helping to ensure tough action on what is a serious national issue, and remain fully committed to this important partnership work.'

Anyone with information about immigration offenders can report crime on this website, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Source:-
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2013/march/17-sham-gang-jailed

Eleven arrested by UK Border Agency after operation in Southall

13 March 2013

Eleven people have been arrested by the UK Border Agency following a joint operation to tackle illegal workers in Southall.

On Tuesday 12 March, agency officers, together with colleagues from the Metropolitan Police, attended a location on King Street, targeting individuals who gather in the area looking for casual labour

They arrested 11 men, all Indian nationals aged between 28 and 65. Ten were in the country illegally having over-stayed their visas. One, a 46-year-old, had entered the UK illegally.

Ten of the 11 have been detained by the UK Border Agency pending their removal from the UK. The remaining man was granted immigration bail while his case is dealt with, but he also faces removal.

Assistant director Sarah Burton, UK Border Agency, said:

'We are working closely with the Metropolitan Police to tackle illegal immigration and for those who are in living and working in the country illegally there is no hiding place.

'My officers are out carrying out operations like this almost every day across West London targeting those who are here illegally and those who would employ them.'

Chief inspector Colin Wingrove, from Ealing police, said:

'This is another excellent example of partnership working to tackle illegal immigration and other related crime in our communities.

'This forms part of our wider work to reduce this type of criminality on the borough.'

In June 2012 UK Border Agency and police officers carried out a similar operation at the same site. On that occasion 36 individuals were arrested.


Employers unsure of the steps they need to take to avoid employing illegal workers can visit our Preventing illegal working pages, or they can call the agency's employers helpline on 0300 123 4699.

Anyone with information about immigration offenders can report crime on this website, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Source:-
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2013/march/21-southall-arrests

Immigration offender removed from UK after Borough green raid

13 March 2013

A man from Bangladesh has been removed from the UK after he was caught by us in a raid on a Borough Green business.

On 15 February an operation targeting illegal working was carried out at Zeera South Indian Cuisine, Sevenoaks Road. Immigration checks revealed that the 28-year-old had failed to leave the UK after his visa had expired.

The man was arrested and taken to an immigration detention centre before being removed to Bangladesh on 6 March.

Jackie Fowler, heads of theLocal Immigration Team for Kent, said:


'We are carrying out operations across Kent to track down people who are breaking immigration law.

'Those who are here illegally should be in no doubt that they will be found, arrested and removed from the country.

'Employers who take on illegal workers are both fuelling illegal immigration and undercutting businesses which play by the rules.'

Zeera South Indian Cuisine has been handed a penalty notice for employing an illegal worker. To avoid a fine of up to £10,000 the employers must provide evidence that the correct pre-employment checks were made on the men - such as seeing a passport or Home Office document.

Every year, we issue fines on hundreds of companies which fail to carry out legally-required checks on their staff.

We provide support to employers so they can understand the rules, including visits by staff, a dedicated telephone helpline and website.

Employers unsure of the steps they need to take to avoid employing illegal workers can visit our Preventing illegal working pages, or they can call the agency's employers helpline on 0300 123 4699.

Anyone with information about immigration offenders can report crime on this website, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Source:-
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2013/march/18-borough-raid

Two illegal workers found at Prestonpans takeaway

14 March 2013

Two men from Pakistan have been found working illegally at a Prestonpans takeaway following a UK Border Agency operation.

Acting on intelligence, officers from the agency visited Natural Spice in Hawthorn Road on Friday 8 March.

Checks on the immigration status of staff revealed 2 men from Pakistan who have no right to work in the UK. They must now report regularly to the UK Border Agency while their outstanding immigration issues are concluded.

The business has been served with a civil penalty notice for employing the illegal workers. If the employers are unable to provide evidence that legally required pre employment checks were carried out before giving the workers a job, a fine of up to £20,000 will be imposed.

Adam Scarcliffe, assistant director of the UK Border Agency in Scotland said:

'The message for anyone living and working in Scotland illegally is clear - we will track you down and remove you from the country.

'We're happy to work with businesses to let them know what checks need to be made on staff, but those who break the law should know that they will face heavy fines.'

Every year, the UK Border Agency imposes civil penalties on hundreds of companies which have failed to carry out legally-required checks on their staff.

Anyone with information about immigration offenders can report crime on this website, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Source:-
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2013/march/26-prestonpans