UK Arrests 600+ for Illegal Stay, Up 73% from Last Year

The UK has intensified its efforts against undocumented migration, with over 600 arrests made in January 2025, a 73% increase compared to the same period in 2024. The arrests, carried out at more than 800 locations, targeted workplaces such as nail bars, restaurants, car washes, and convenience stores, according to the government.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper emphasized the importance of strict enforcement, stating:
“Employers have exploited illegal migrants for too long, and many have been working without any enforcement action taken. We are cracking down on this at record levels.”

Labour’s Shift in Immigration Strategy

Labour Prime Minister Keir Starmer has scrapped the Rwanda deportation plan proposed by his predecessor, instead focusing on dismantling people-smuggling networks. The government has established a Border Security Command and enhanced cooperation with Europol and European nations to curb illegal crossings.

Increasing Deportations and Border Security

Since Labour took office, nearly 19,000 failed asylum seekers, foreign criminals, and other immigration offenders have been deported—the highest number since 2018. Officials have also strengthened joint action plans with Germany and Iraq to tackle smuggling gangs.

Meanwhile, regular migration remains a major issue, with over 728,000 migrants arriving legally in the UK in the year leading to June 2024.

Rising Pressure from Far-Right Groups

The crackdown comes amid growing pressure from Reform UK, the anti-immigration party led by Nigel Farage, which secured nearly four million votes in the July 2024 elections. The government is keen to demonstrate tougher measures to reduce undocumented migration, especially as Channel crossings rose 25% in 2024, with 36,816 people detected making the dangerous journey from France.

New Immigration Bill for Stricter Controls

To further tighten immigration policies, the UK is introducing the Border Security, Asylum, and Immigration Bill, which grants law enforcement counter-terrorism-style powers to disrupt criminal networks facilitating illegal migration. The bill is set for a second reading in Parliament on Monday.

As the Labour government ramps up enforcement, the UK’s approach to undocumented migration and border security continues to evolve, balancing political pressure, humanitarian concerns, and national security priorities.