Major Immigration Operation Leads to Dozens of Arrests in Belfast

A dawn operation by Immigration Enforcement officers with the UK Home Office has led to more than 30 arrests at a construction site in Belfast’s historic Titanic Quarter, a spokesperson has said.

Major Coordinated Operation

In what the Home Office has described as a "major co-ordinated operation" that took place on Wednesday (19 March), officers, supported by the Belfast Harbour Police, swooped the site "acting on intelligence of illegal workers operating for a sub-contractor inside the premises". The Home Office says the "interception" led to the arrest of 35 Romanian men and one 16-year-old, who had been employed by a sub-contractor.

Enforcement Action

Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Dame Angela Eagle, stated: “We’re cracking down on those who attempt to flout the rules by ramping up our enforcement activity right across the UK. Under the Plan for Change, this government is going further and faster with more visits, arrests and returns of those with no right to be in the country, to finally restore our immigration system." The Labour Party minister added: "My message is clear: illegal workers, and those who employ and exploit them, will be caught and they will face the full force of the law." Paul McHarron, Immigration Compliance and Enforcement Northern Ireland lead, said: “I hope these arrests demonstrate our commitment to clamping down on illegal workers and non-compliant employers. Not only does illegal working undermine our immigration system and economy, but it’s inextricably linked to extremely poor living conditions, inhumane working hours and below minimum wage."