A lot like Trump: Why Indian eateries, businesses are targeted by UK government

After the US set a precedent with its tough immigration policies under President Donald Trump, the UK’s Labour government is now following suit with a sweeping crackdown on illegal migrants working in the country.

On Monday, the Home Office carried out what it called a “UK-wide blitz” against undocumented migrants, targeting Indian restaurants, nail salons, convenience stores, and car washes, resulting in multiple arrests and detentions.

So, how exactly are Indian eateries being targeted? And how is the UK government intensifying its efforts against illegal migration? Here’s a closer look.

Crackdown on Indian eateries

The UK Home Office has recently ramped up its efforts to tackle illegal immigration, putting businesses that employ undocumented migrants under intense scrutiny.

According to a PTI report citing British Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, in January 2025 alone, Immigration Enforcement teams carried out 828 raids on business premises, a 48 per cent rise compared to the previous January, with arrests surging to 609—a 73 per cent increase from the previous year.

While Cooper’s office insists that enforcement teams follow intelligence across various industries, a large chunk of last month’s raids targeted restaurants, takeaways, and cafes, as well as businesses in the food, drink, and tobacco sectors.

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One Indian restaurant in Humberside, northern England, saw a particularly dramatic operation, with authorities arresting seven people and detaining four on the spot.

Last year, more than 10 Indian-owned businesses—mostly restaurants—were hit with heavy fines for employing undocumented workers. Among them, Rajpoot Indian Restaurant in Devon was hit the hardest, slapped with an £80,000 (around Rs 86 lakh) penalty. Between January and March 2024, Indian businesses collectively faced fines amounting to £265,000 (Rs 2.84 crore).

Cooper, who is personally overseeing the crackdown, defended the tough measures. “The immigration rules must be respected and enforced. For far too long, employers have been able to take on and exploit illegal migrants, and too many people have been able to arrive and work illegally with no enforcement action ever taken,” she said.

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She also warned about the broader consequences of illegal migration, adding, “Not only does this create a dangerous draw for people to risk their lives by crossing the Channel in a small boat, but it results in the abuse of vulnerable people, the immigration system, and our economy.”

The UK Home Office estimates that in 2023 alone, more than 1,500 Indians attempted to cross the English Channel in small boats, hoping to find work and seek asylum.

Also read: Rape, torture, death: How illegal Indian immigrants risk it all to reach the US

A show, don’t tell strategy?

After a major opinion poll revealed that the right-wing Reform Party – which promises to “freeze immigration” to the UK – took the lead as the most popular party among the British voters, ruling Labour Party chief Keir Starmer is under growing pressure to demonstrate that his government is serious about tackling illegal immigration. And now, it’s doing so in the most visible way possible.

Earlier, the UK government aired footage of deportation flights, showing shackled  “immigration offenders” being escorted off buses and up the stairs of charter jets. These flights, which officials claim include four of the biggest migrant returns operations in UK history, have so far deported over 800 people. Among them, according to authorities, are individuals convicted of drug offences, theft, rape, and murder.

The public must have confidence in the UK's immigration system.

Through our Plan for Change, we have removed almost 19,000 people including failed asylum seekers, foreign criminals and immigration offenders from the UK since July 2024. pic.twitter.com/QY4tpQDqSP

— Home Office (@ukhomeoffice) February 10, 2025

But the crackdown isn’t just about spectacle. Home Office figures reveal that between July 5 last year and January 31 this year, arrests and crackdowns on illegal working surged by 38 per cent compared to the same period a year earlier.

Employers hiring undocumented workers are also facing the heat, with 1,090 civil penalty notices issued during this period. Businesses found guilty of employing illegal migrants now risk fines of up to £60,000 per worker (Rs 64 lakh).

Eddy Montgomery, Director of Enforcement, Compliance and Crime at the Home Office, defended the intensified action.  “I hope it sends a strong signal that there is no hiding place from the law, and we will continue to ramp up our activity to ensure those involved face the full consequences. We also know that many people who end up working illegally are often subjected to extremely poor conditions, so we will continue to do all we can to safeguard and protect the most vulnerable,” he said.

UK to introduce new immigration bill

As the UK intensifies its immigration crackdown, the government is preparing to introduce a new Border Security, Asylum, and Immigration Bill during its second reading this week.

The proposed legislation aims to “smash the criminal gangs” that the Starmer-led administration claims are undermining border security. With a focus on tackling organised crime, the bill will grant law enforcement additional powers to act more swiftly and effectively, including the authority to seize mobile phones from individuals who arrive in the UK illegally—before they are arrested.

However, the bill has faced fierce criticism from the Opposition Conservative Party, which has labelled it a “weak bill that won’t stop the boats.” Conservatives are calling for tougher measures on permanent residency access for migrants.

“Under new leadership [of Kemi Badenoch ], the Conservatives are coming up with effective and deliverable reforms to cut immigration. Our country is our home, not a hotel,” said shadow home secretary Chris Philp.

With input from agencies