In media reports today, the Immigration Minister Mark Harper has stated that controversial spot checks at railway stations and underground stations will continue. In August this year we reported that the Home Office took to Twitter to highlight the arrest of 139 people suspected of being illegal immigrants, which sparked backlash from critics and Britain’s equality watchdog. The campaign against immigration violators was criticised in the media for unlawfully discriminating against members of the public and saw them being detained at workplaces and tube stations. Mark Harper has now defended this tactic and said that the campaign was successful and would continue.
Immigration Minister Mark Harper: Vows to Continue Spot Checks
ministers have vowed to continue immigration checks at Tube and train stations, despite allegations of ‘racial profiling.’ Mark Harper defended the operations which took place in August and stated they were part of an effort to encourage migrants with no right to be in the UK to return home.
Speaking to the World at One on BBC Radio 4 he stated:
“Yes, there will be more of them. We base these operations on intelligence, so where we have cause to think we are going to be successful in targeting people who have no right to be in the UK, not based on racial profiling, they’re based on intelligence and on behaviour of individuals.”
Deporting Foreign Nationals with ‘no right to be in the UK’
Under UK immigration law, if a deportation order has been made against a foreign national, it not only authorises their removal but also renders them liable to be held in custody until they are removed. The general presumption is that the deportation order is in the interests of the public good and that this consideration will outweigh all other factors – unless his deportation would breach his human rights.
It is understandable that a person living in the UK with no immigration status may have been here for many years such as if they were brought to the UK as a child. During this time, they may have adopted the culture and built strong relationships with settled persons. They may even have a family in the UK and as a result of many years living away from their home country may have severed ties. In these situations, these persons should seek legal advice on making their stay in the UK permanent legally.
Legal Advice for Illegal Migrants in the UK
Illegal migrants with strong Human Rights arguments ought to take legal advice and regularise their stay in the UK as soon as possible and before it is too late. Please contact us to discuss your immigration situation and we will assess your case and provide you with options of regularising your stay.