Arrests in illegal immigration swoops across Wales

Four immigration offenders have been arrested during operations by Immigration Enforcement officers in Ammanford, Wrexham and Swansea.

Officers visited businesses at Premier Stores on Cwmamman Road, Ammanford, on Thursday, 21 April, where a 31-year-old Pakistani man was arrested when it was discovered he had overstayed his student visa.

On Friday, 22nd April, two Bangladeshi men - a 26-year-old and a 39-year-old were arrested at Anise Indian restaurant on Smithfield Road, Wrexham.

Two further Bangladeshi men, aged 33 and 36, who had outstanding immigration claims, but no permission to work, must report regularly to the Home Office while their cases are progressed.

On Saturday, 23 April, a 24-year-old Pakistani man who had overstayed his student visa was found working at Mumbai Indian restaurant on Mill Lane, Blackpill, Swansea, and arrested.

A 22-year-old Iranian man, a failed asylum seeker with no permission to work, was escorted from the premises and must report regularly to the Home Office while his case is progressed.

The four arrested men are currently in immigration detention while steps are taken to remove them from the country.

The businesses have each been served a notice warning that a financial penalty of up to £20,000 will be imposed for employing the illegal workers 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.

This is a potential total of £80,000 for Anise, £40,000 for Mumbai and £20,000 for Premier Stores.