In a bid to deter immigration David Cameron has pledged to seize the pay of illegal immigrant workers and will also announce moves to prosecute firms which only advertise abroad for staff.
Wages paid to illegal immigrants working “cash in hand” will be confiscated by police in a fresh bid by David Cameron to push down UK immigration. He will also announce that a major Immigration Bill in next week’s Queen’s Speech will feature tactics to prosecute firms which exclusively advertise abroad for staff and to accelerate the deportation of illegal immigrants.
Under the new Bill, a new criminal offence of illegal working will be introduced which will apply to migrants who have come to Britain illegally as well as those who came legally and overstayed their leave.
The focus of the Government’s new initiative will be to reduce the apparent “pull factor” attracting economic migrants from outside of the EU into Britain. The move comes ahead of opening talks on 22nd May between David Cameron and his European counterparts regarding “toughening” the rules of EU nationals’ entitlements to benefits.
As a result of this move, this will close a loophole which means that only migrants with leave to remain who are working illegally can be prosecuted, while others who have not yet been detected or have failed to return home when their visas expired are beyond the scope of the law.
The Bill will also:
? Make it illegal for businesses and recruitment agencies to recruit abroad without advertising in Britain;
? Endow councils with powers to crack down on landlords who rent to illegal immigrants;
? Require banks to check the immigration status of account holders;
? Bring in satellite tracking tags for foreign offenders awaiting deportation;
? Force people to appeal against deportation after they have been removed from Britain – an initiative to “stop people frustrating the system”.
Duncan Lewis UK Immigration Solicitors UK Prevention of Employing Illegal Immigrants – Fixed Fee – Free initial telephone consultation
It is offence under law to employ an individual who has no right to work or reside in the UK. The Home Office’s website regularly names businesses which have been caught breaching immigration rules on illegal working and the level of financial fines levied against the business.
As well as the reputational damage that this could have on your business's’ public image, any history of immigration non-compliance could ultimately result in your sponsorship licence being revoked and your business losing its’ ability to sponsor migrants as well as massive fines.
Our business immigration team can help you avoid the pitfalls of employing an illegal worker and can assist with the following:
- Can assist in compiling tailored right to work checklist for your business
- Advice on right to work documentation that needs to be retained and the processes to ensure compliance with the law
- Carry out right to work audits on your business.
- Assisting with representations in mitigation should your business be faced with fines/penalties for employing illegal workers
- Appeals against civil penalties
For a free initial consultation over the telephone with one of our expert UK immigration lawyers, call us today on +44(0)203 114 1198 or e-mail us at businessimmigration@duncanlewis.com.