Labour government intensifies efforts with mass arrests, deportation flights, and tougher penalties for employers
February 11, 2025: The United Kingdom has launched a sweeping immigration crackdown, reminiscent of former U.S. President Donald Trump’s policies. The Labour government, under Prime Minister Keir Starmer, has carried out raids on businesses employing illegal migrants, with Indian restaurants, nail bars, and convenience stores among the key targets.
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The public must have confidence in the UK's immigration system.
— Home Office (@ukhomeoffice) February 10, 2025
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 Secretary Yvette Cooper personally oversaw the largest-ever UK-wide immigration enforcement operation, with 828 premises raided in January alone—a 48% increase compared to last year. Over 609 arrests were made, marking a 73% rise from the same period in 2024.
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Among these operations, an Indian restaurant in Humberside saw seven people arrested and four detained. Authorities claim these raids aim to prevent illegal employment, which they argue exploits vulnerable workers and fuels illegal migration through dangerous Channel crossings.
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Government’s “Show, Not Tell” Approach
With rising political pressure from the Reform UK party, the Starmer government is ramping up public deportation footage to showcase its hardline stance. Recent TV broadcasts have shown migrants being shackled and escorted onto charter flights, which have deported nearly 19,000 foreign criminals and illegal immigrants since Labour took office.
Social Media Campaigns to Deter Illegal Migration
The Home Office is also targeting potential migrants before they reach the UK, launching social media campaigns in Vietnam and Albania to warn them against people smugglers. These ads share real-life stories of migrants who entered the UK illegally, only to face exploitation and extreme debt.
Harsh Penalties for Employers
The crackdown extends beyond migrant workers—business owners found guilty of hiring illegal workers now face fines of up to £60,000 per worker. Between July 2024 and January 2025, UK immigration enforcement issued 1,090 civil penalty notices, representing a 38% increase in illegal working arrests.
Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill Sparks Debate
The crackdown coincides with Labour’s new Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill, which Parliament is set to debate this week. The bill aims to combat human trafficking networks by seizing mobile phones from migrants before arrest and bolstering law enforcement’s power to disrupt criminal gangs facilitating illegal immigration.
However, the Opposition Conservative Party has criticized the bill as too weak. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp stated, “This won’t stop the boats. We need tougher laws to reduce immigration and protect Britain’s borders.”
With Labour facing backlash from both sides of the political spectrum, the government is expected to further intensify its immigration policies in the coming months.
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UK immigration crackdown, Indian restaurants UK, Keir Starmer, Labour government UK, UK border security, Yvette Cooper, illegal immigration UK, Trump-style immigration policies, UK deportation flights, migrant workers UK