LONDON — On Monday, the British government emphasized its ongoing initiatives to clamp down on businesses that hire unauthorized workers while deporting thousands of migrants deemed to have no legal right to remain in the U.K. Additionally, the government is looking to enhance law enforcement capabilities against human trafficking operations.
This intensive effort, referred to as a “blitz on illegal working,” aligns with the Labour government’s commitment to reducing immigration, a key concern for a substantial segment of the electorate. This focus comes amid rising support for the far-right party Reform U.K.
However, advocacy groups for migrants and some within the Labour Party have raised alarms, drawing parallels to a previous Conservative administration’s strategy which aimed to create a “hostile environment” for illegal migrants. This earlier policy resulted in numerous long-standing legal residents facing eviction from housing, lost jobs, and exclusion from medical care due to their inability to provide proof of their residency status. Many were unjustly detained or deported to countries they had not visited in years.
According to the government, since Labour took office in July, over 5,000 raids have been conducted on various businesses, including nail salons, convenience stores, and restaurants, leading to nearly 4,000 arrests. These numbers represent a significant increase compared to the previous year under Conservative leadership.
In the same timeframe, close to 19,000 individuals have been deported, as stated by the authorities. Furthermore, video footage of deportations has been released, generating criticism for being insensitive and in poor taste.
Home Office Minister Angela Eagle defended the stringent measures being taken. “We need a system where rules are respected and enforced,” she explained to the BBC. “It’s crucial to communicate our actions to deter those misled about the realities awaiting them in the U.K.”
A new immigration bill, expected to pass, has also been introduced. The government highlighted the misconception that finding work in the U.K. is effortless, which it views as a “dangerous lure” for migrants attempting hazardous crossings of the English Channel. Over 38,000 individuals made the treacherous journey in 2024, with more than 70 lives lost in the process.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has classified these criminal organizations as a global security risk, insisting they should be treated similarly to terrorist groups. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper described the Border Security, Asylum, and Immigration Bill, which was up for a significant parliamentary vote on Monday, as incorporating “counterterror-style powers,” including the ability to confiscate mobile devices from suspected traffickers.
“We cannot let these gangs jeopardize lives or compromise our border integrity,” Cooper asserted in a session at the House of Commons. She emphasized the necessity for governments, rather than gangs, to dictate who enters the country.
This bill also aims to annul the controversial Safety of Rwanda Act, which had supported the previous government’s contentious strategy to relocate some asylum seekers to Rwanda. Starmer criticized this abandoned plan as an expensive distraction that never materialized. Now, the proposed immigration legislation is nearly certain to be enacted due to Labour’s substantial majority, although there are some reservations regarding its implications. Human rights organization Liberty has warned that introducing counterterrorism powers for non-terror-related offenses sets a “dangerous precedent.”
On a different note, the opposition Conservatives have labeled the legislation as “weak” and inadequate in curbing boat crossings. Following a decisive victory in the elections just seven months ago, Labour’s popularity has taken a hit, coinciding with a surge in support for the anti-immigrant Reform U.K. party, spearheaded by Nigel Farage. Reform currently holds only five seats in the 650-seat House of Commons, yet it is competing closely with Labour and the Conservatives in national polls, even as a general election is not expected for another four years.
The growing appeal of Reform has prompted both Labour and the Conservatives to scramble for an effective response, contributing to the government’s hardline stance on immigration. However, Rob Ford, a political science professor at the University of Manchester, cautioned that attempting to recapture Reform voters by focusing on contentious issues may not yield positive results.
“Labour achieved victory through a focused agenda centered on growth, public services, and cost-of-living concerns,” he noted in a recent piece. “Shifting the focus to divisive issues that play into Farage’s beliefs is a risky approach.”
