Surge in illegal working arrests across Wales in record month

Home Office Immigration Enforcement teams have arrested 101 people for illegal working in Wales and the West of England in January, more than doubling the 45 arrests made in the same period last year.

Across the UK, January 2025 marked the busiest month for enforcement activity in more than five years, with 828 visits resulting in 609 arrests—a 73 per cent increase on the previous year’s total of 352.

The surge reflects the Government’s pledge to take tougher action against illegal working as part of its ongoing immigration strategy.

Immigration Enforcement teams targeted a variety of premises, including restaurants, takeaways, supermarkets, nail bars, and car washes, as part of efforts to tackle illegal working and clamp down on businesses employing individuals without the right to work.

Crackdown at rural businesses

One of the most notable enforcement operations in Wales took place on 28 January, when officers raided a dairy farm in Llangedwyn, leading to the arrest of six Romanian nationals who were found to be working in breach of their visit visas.

The business could face a fine of up to £60,000 per illegal worker if found guilty of failing to carry out the necessary pre-employment checks.

Director of Enforcement, Compliance & Crime Eddy Montgomery praised the teams for their efforts, saying, “Despite many premises in the region being in rural locations, these numbers show there is no hiding place from the law, and we will come after any business who thinks they can exploit illegal workers for their own gain.”

Broader national efforts

Between July 2024 and January 2025, both illegal working visits and arrests increased by 38 per cent compared to the same period the previous year.

The Home Office issued 1,090 civil penalty notices to employers, with fines of up to £60,000 per worker for those found to be in breach of the law.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper highlighted the importance of enforcing immigration rules, stating: “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.

“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.”

Illegal working is often associated with exploitative conditions, including long hours, little to no pay, and squalid living arrangements.

The Government’s strategy aims to deter people from making dangerous crossings to the UK with the false promise of employment.

New powers to tackle organised crime

In a bid to strengthen border security, Parliament is set to discuss the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill, which proposes new powers to help law enforcement disrupt organised crime.

Under the new legislation, officers would be able to search electronic devices for information related to immigration offences, giving them additional tools to target smuggling gangs.

The crackdown on illegal working is part of a broader government effort to remove individuals with no right to be in the UK.

Since July 2024, the Home Office has reported the removal of 16,400 individuals, including foreign nationals convicted of serious offences such as drug trafficking, theft, rape, and murder.