UK Illegal Migrant Act, 280 Courier Arrested, 58 E-Bike Confiscated

JAKARTA - British authorities arrested 280 migrants in a week-long crackdown operation. This action targets migrants who work as couriers illegally.

Immigration law enforcement officers interrogated 1,780 people on July 20-27. 53 people were detained.

"280 people have been arrested," the UK Interior Ministry said.

The operation is part of the government's efforts to tackle illegal migration, which also includes new legal requirements for companies to verify worker immigration status.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces pressure to show voters he is capable of fighting illegal immigration with increasing support for the UK Reform party led by Nigel Farage, the Brexit campaigner.

"This government ensures that the rules are respected and enforced," said Border Security Minister Angela Eagle.

In addition to arrests, a civil sanction warning letter was also issued for 51 businesses, including a car and restaurant wash, which can be fined for employing illegal workers.

Police confiscated 71 vehicles, including 58 e-bikes, and confiscated cash worth 8,000 pounds ($10,751.20) and illegal cigarettes worth 460,000 pounds.

The Ministry of Home Affairs said the immigration enforcement team would receive an additional 5 million pounds in funds for efforts to deal with illegal workers.

Last month, the government reached new deals with food delivery companies, including Deliverroo, Uber Eats, and Just Eat to share information aimed at preventing illegal workers.

In 12 months to July, Britain repatriated 35,052 people without the right to stay, up 13% compared to the previous 12 months.

The French have agreed to receive some undocumented migrants arriving in England in small boats.

While Britain received from France the same number of legitimate asylum seekers as the same number of family ties in the country.