Hundreds of individuals have been expelled from the United Kingdom following Home Office operations targeting eateries, fast food delivery drivers, beauty parlors, and vehicle cleaning services. The Home Office reported a 63% surge in arrests for illegal employment, leading to the removal of over 1,050 migrants in the largest enforcement action on record. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood highlighted that this crackdown aims to deter individuals from entering the UK via unauthorized means.
Ms. Mahmood emphasized that illegal labor creates an allure for those seeking to unlawfully enter the country. She stated that individuals discovered working illegally in beauty salons, car washes, or as delivery drivers will face arrest, detention, and deportation. She reaffirmed her commitment to safeguarding the UK’s borders, citing new legislation that could penalize employers with up to five years of imprisonment for hiring illegal workers.
Recent government data revealed that Immigration Enforcement conducted over 11,000 raids between October of the previous year and September 2025, resulting in the arrest of more than 8,000 migrants. Minister of State for Border Security and Asylum, Alex Norris, commended the enforcement efforts but acknowledged the need for more extensive actions.
In an interview on Times Radio, Mr. Norris expressed satisfaction with the outcomes of the raids, claiming that the unprecedented number of arrests and deportations marked a significant achievement. Despite questions about the ratio of arrests to deportations, he maintained that the results were commendable and indicated the government’s resolve to intensify its enforcement measures and legal strategies against deportation challenges.
The government’s commitment to combating unauthorized employment was underscored by its allocation of £5 million to Operation Sterling, which targets illegal work activities. Notable increases were seen in arrests (63%) and inspections (51%) over the past year. To prevent individuals from evading scrutiny, the scope of right-to-work checks is being expanded, with stricter measures proposed for all types of workers, not just those under traditional employment contracts.
Consultations are underway to gather feedback from businesses on recruitment procedures and enhance guidance for implementing robust right-to-work verification processes. Concurrently, major delivery service providers like Deliveroo, Just Eat, and Uber Eats have bolstered their identity verification and right-to-work checks to address concerns regarding illegal employment through their platforms.