Over 600 Immigration Arrests in January as Deportations Surge.
The Labour government has ramped up its efforts to address immigration and secure UK borders, emphasizing these issues as part of their strategy to prevent voters from gravitating toward the Conservatives and Reform UK. According to the Home Office, over 600 immigration-related arrests were made in January, following more than 800 raids conducted by enforcement officers.
This marked a dramatic 73% increase from January 2024, during the time when the Conservative government was in power. Last year, just 352 arrests were made across 556 visits. In comparison, under Labour's leadership, the numbers have surged, with 3,930 arrests recorded over 5,424 visits since July 2024.
The raids targeted businesses such as restaurants, cafes, car washes, nail bars, vape shops, and takeaways. These operations were part of the government's broader approach to tighten border security and ensure that immigration rules are followed. Labour has made border control a central part of its message since taking office, recognizing the importance of this issue for voters and seeking to prevent further losses to competing parties.
Labour officials also emphasized that, since taking power, more than 16,400 people have been deported from the UK. According to the Home Office, this number is expected to increase with new figures set to be released later this week. Notably, over 800 individuals were removed through chartered flights, as part of ongoing deportation efforts.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper made a statement underscoring the importance of enforcing immigration regulations: "The immigration rules must be respected and enforced. For far too long, employers have been able to take on and exploit illegal migrants and too many people have been able to arrive and work illegally with no enforcement action ever taken."
Cooper further explained the broader implications of lax enforcement, which she believes contributes to dangerous situations such as the small boat crossings in the English Channel, and creates systemic abuses within the economy. "That's why, as part of our Plan for Change, we are boosting enforcement to record levels alongside tough new legislation to smash the criminal gangs that undermine our border security and who have been getting away with it for far too long."
One particularly significant operation was the raid at a Cheshire vape shop, where 10 immigration arrests were made, alongside two criminal arrests related to counterfeit documents. Employers at various businesses have also been issued civil penalty referrals for their involvement in hiring illegal migrants.
As part of its immigration enforcement strategy, the Labour government dismantled the Rwanda deportation scheme implemented by previous Conservative prime ministers. The roughly 1,000 staff members who had been working on that program have been reassigned to help enforce immigration rules within the UK.
While Labour has dismissed the Rwanda plan, claiming it was ineffective, the Conservatives continue to defend it as a potential deterrent for illegal migration. Other measures the Labour government has taken include launching public service announcements in countries such as Vietnam and Albania to deter potential migrants from attempting to enter the UK. In addition, the UK will host a border security summit in March, with over 40 countries, including the EU, expected to participate in discussions about illegal migration.
The UK government's Border Security, Asylum, and Immigration Bill is set to undergo its second reading in the House of Commons this week. However, the bill has already been met with criticism from some Conservative figures, including Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp. He called the bill "weak" and argued it wouldn't stop illegal immigration, especially boat crossings.
Philp also raised concerns about the bill potentially allowing illegal migrants to claim indefinite leave to remain (ILR). He warned that without supporting the Conservative plan, Labour could contribute to a future where millions more migrants are granted ILR, resulting in a £234bn cost to taxpayers.
Philp emphasized that the Conservative Party is committed to delivering effective immigration reforms, stating, "Under new leadership, the Conservatives are coming up with effective and deliverable reforms to cut immigration. Our country is our home, not a hotel."
