The UK government expanded its nationwide illegal working efforts by executing raids on Indian restaurants along with nail bars convenience stores and car washes throughout the country. Immigration Enforcement teams set a new annual January record by carrying out 828 premises raids that yielded 609 arrests representing a 73% increase compared to the previous year.
Seven arrests together with four detentions were recorded at an Indian restaurant located in Humberside in northern England. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper declared that employers have maintained their exploitation of illegal migrants for too many years while both damaging the national economy and risking public safety.
The Labour government’s Border Security Asylum and Immigration Bill is reintroducing to Parliament to eliminate criminal gangs that assist illegal immigrants while the operation targets illegal working activities. The number of illegal working arrests increased 38% since July 2024 while employers have faced possible sanctions reaching £60,000 for each undocumented employee. 
During the operation Eddy Montgomery who leads the enforcement team stated that the initiative targeted both those who break the law and protected the vulnerable workforce. Since the 2024 general election the Home Office took down 16,400 immigration offenders who included serious criminal offenders in their count.
Criticisms from the Conservative Opposition indicated the bill did not go far enough thus they demanded stronger measures to stop illegal migration. UK border restrictions indicate a new approach toward enhanced immigration control measures.
