Two illegal immigrants arrested in Magherafelt takeaway

According to the Home Office, officers who were acting on intelligence “visited ZARA’S takeaway on Queen Street Magherafelt on Thursday 28 January and questioned staff to establish whether they had the right to live and work in the UK”.

They say a 30-year-old Bangladeshi man found working and a further 36-year-old Bangladeshi man discovered on the premises were both arrested as they were in the country illegally.

Both men have now been transferred to immigration detention pending their removal from the country.

ZARA’S was served with a notice warning that a financial penalty of up to £20,000 will be imposed unless the employer can demonstrate that appropriate right-to-work document checks were carried out, such as seeing a passport or Home Office document confirming permission to work.

Mike Golden, from Immigration Enforcement in Northern Ireland said: “As this operation shows, we are working hard to arrest and remove those who abuse the UK’s immigration system.

“Using illegal labour is not a victimless crime. It cheats the taxpayer, undercuts businesses who ply an honest trade and deprives legitimate job seekers of employment opportunities.

“There are simple checks employers can carry out to ensure their employees have the right to work in the UK. Those who choose to ignore the rules will face the consequences.

“I would urge anyone with detailed and specific information about suspected immigration abuse to contact us.”

Anyone with information about suspected immigration abuse can contact https://www.gov.uk/report-immigration-crime or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.