A dawn raid led by the Home Office in Belfast resulted in the arrest of 35 people, including a teenage boy, during an operation targeting illegal workers at a construction site in the Titanic Quarter on Wednesday.
The operation, supported by Belfast Harbour Police, focused on a construction site where immigration enforcement officers targeted illegal workers employed by a subcontractor.
The 35 individuals arrested were Romanian nationals, including one 16-year-old boy. The arrests were made for various offences, including:
Additionally, one man was arrested on suspicion of assisting unlawful immigration by the Home Office’s criminal and financial investigation team.
The individuals arrested have either agreed to leave the UK and return to Romania or been placed under strict immigration bail conditions. Those on bail 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.
Dame Angela Eagle, Minister for Border Security and Asylum, stated:
“Illegal workers, and those who employ and exploit them, will be caught, and they will face the full force of the law.”
She added that illegal working visits have increased by 38% since the last election, as part of the Government’s strategy to enhance enforcement and tackle illegal working.
Employers found guilty of employing illegal workers face fines of up to £60,000 and potential prison sentences in serious cases.
Paul McHarron, Immigration Compliance and Enforcement Northern Ireland Lead, emphasized that illegal working harms the economy, undermines the immigration system, and leads to inhumane working conditions and substandard living.
The Home Office plans to introduce new counter-terrorism-style powers to disrupt people smuggling gangs in the coming months as part of a broader crackdown on illegal immigration.
This operation highlights the ongoing effort to tackle illegal working and non-compliant employers across the UK.
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