Thirty-six people were arrested in Belfast’s iconic Titanic Quarter in a dawn raid at a construction site. Immigration enforcement officers and Belfast Harbour Police swooped on the site.
They arrested 35 Romanian men and one 16-year-old who had been employed by a sub-contractor. Their alleged offences ranged from working in breach of visa conditions to illegal entry in the UK with no permission to work.
One man was also arrested on suspicion of assisting unlawful immigration. Those arrested have either agreed to leave the United Kingdom and return to their home country or been placed on “strict immigration bail” and are required to report regularly to the Home Office.
The 16-year-old boy has been referred to the relevant authorities for further investigation and support. The number of illegal working raids has surged by 38% since the election.
Dame Angela Eagle, the minister for border security and asylum, said: “We’re cracking down on those who attempt to flout the rules by ramping up our enforcement activity right across the UK… [This] Government is going further and faster with more visits, arrests and returns of those with no right to be in the country, to finally restore our immigration system.
“My message is clear – illegal workers, and those who employ and exploit them, will be caught and they will face the full force of the law.”
According to the Home Office, those who end up working illegally are “sold lies about their ability to live and work in the UK” and often “face squalid living conditions, minimal pay and inhumane working hours, as well as the threat of arrest and removal if they are caught”.
Rogue employers can face fines of up to £60,000 and a prison sentence.
Paul McHarron, the Northern Ireland lead for immigration compliance and enforcement, said: “I hope these arrests demonstrate our commitment to clamping down on illegal workers and non-compliant employers. Not only does illegal working undermine our immigration system and economy, but it’s inextricably linked to extremely poor living conditions, inhumane working hours and below minimum wage.
“This must be stopped, which is why we’re increasing our enforcement activity to tackle this illegal activity in all its forms. I’d like to thank our partners agencies for their support in delivering this operation.”
Nearly 19,000 foreign criminals and people with no right to be in the UK removed since July.