A dawn operation by Immigration Enforcement officers with the UK Home Office has led to more than 30 arrests at a construction site in Belfast’s historic Titanic Quarter, a spokesperson has said.
In what the Home Office has described as a "major co-ordinated operation" that took place on Wednesday (19 March), officers, supported by the Belfast Harbour Police, swooped the site "acting on intelligence of illegal workers operating for a sub-contractor inside the premises".
The Home Office say the "interception" led to the arrest of 35 Romanian men and one 16-year-old, who had been employed by a sub-contractor.
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The spokesperson continued: "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 by the Home Office’s Criminal and Financial Investigation team.
"Those arrested have agreed to leave the United Kingdom and return to their home country or been placed on strict immigration bail conditions - and are now 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 Home Office statement added: "The visit forms part of the government’s surge in enforcement action to tackle illegal working in all its forms under the Plan for Change. It comes shortly after a record-breaking January was achieved for illegal working activity, with 828 visits recorded across the UK compared to 556 the year before, and 609 arrests."
Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Dame Angela Eagle, said: “We’re cracking down on those who attempt to flout the rules by ramping up our enforcement activity right across the UK. Under the Plan for Change, 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."
The Labour Party minister added: "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."
The Home Office statement continued: "In many cases, those who end up working illegally are sold lies about their ability to live and work in the UK, when in reality they often face squalid living conditions, minimal pay and inhumane working hours, as well as the threat of arrest and removal if they are caught.
"That’s why the Home Office is ramping up its enforcement action to ensure there is no hiding place from the law and rogue employers also face the full consequences, including fines of up to £60,000 and, in serious cases, a prison sentence.
Paul McHarron, Immigration Compliance and Enforcement Northern Ireland lead, 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.”
And a Home Office spokesperson added: "Illegal working is just one part of the government’s wider plan to tackle organised immigration crime, from the smuggling routes operating across Europe, to the high streets of towns and cities across the UK. Alongside enforcement activity, the government has also exceeded its original target on returns, with nearly 19,000 foreign criminals and people with no right to be in the UK removed since the government took office. These figures represent the highest rate of returns seen in the UK since 2018 and include the four biggest returns charter flights in the UK’s history, with a total of more than 850 people on board.
"In the coming months, the government plans to go further by introducing new counter terror-style powers to identify, disrupt and smash people smuggling gangs. The Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill, which completed consideration by the Public Bill Committee this week, will grant law enforcement additional powers to take earlier, faster and more effective action against organised crime gangs. This includes new powers, for example seizing mobile phones from people who come to the UK illegally, to gather intelligence against the gangs responsible for their journey and new data sharing measures to build the UK’s intelligence picture. "
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