| New initiative on illegal immigration in the UK... four | | | | day are wasted on identity cards?" |
| hundred and forty police officers are being brought in. | | | | Crimestoppers |
| "People-trafficking and all its associated evils is one of | | | | Under the plans, members of the public will - for the |
| the fastest-growing and most vicious crimes, yet the | | | | first time - be able to report illegal workers and illegal |
| government's policy so far has been one of neglect." | | | | immigrants using the free Crimestoppers telephone |
| David Davis | | | | line from 1 January. |
| Shadow home secretary | | | | I'm fearful that's going to lead to discrimination |
| Home Secretary, John Reid, has unveiled plans for | | | | against anybody who looks as though they might be |
| 800 new immigration staff - an increase of 25%. | | | | a foreigner |
| In the plan, Britons involved in people-smuggling will be | | | | Keith Best |
| arrested, the public will be encouraged to report | | | | Chief Executive |
| suspects and firms will face larger fines. | | | | Immigration Advisory Service |
| The 400 police constables and 40 sergeants moving | | | | The government has already said it would be doubling |
| across to the Immigration and Nationality Directorate | | | | the budget for deportations to nearly £300m, |
| will be joined by 360 newly-recruited immigration | | | | and a bill tackling deportations was included in last |
| officers. | | | | week's Queen's Speech. |
| But police are "badly needed" on the beat, say the | | | | And, by the end of 2007, ministers intend to create |
| Conservatives, whilst the Lib Dems want "new, not | | | | 650 extra detention spaces for illegal immigrants |
| redeployed" staff. | | | | The measures are seen as a response to criticism |
| However, a Home Office spokeswoman insisted: "We | | | | from political opponents about a perceived failure to |
| are very clear that we do not want this to have an | | | | deport enough of those identified as being in the UK |
| impact on police officers' frontline work. There won't | | | | illegally. |
| be any police officers taken off the front line." | | | | There were nearly 5,000 deportations in the last |
| But shadow home secretary, David Davis, criticised | | | | three-month period for which figures were available - |
| the government's record on the subject. | | | | a record - but it estimated that 500,000 people |
| "Over the last nine years, we have actually seen | | | | remain in the UK illegally. |
| immigration officers instructed not to arrest illegal | | | | Penalising Businesses |
| immigrants, merely to meet the prime minister's | | | | The idea of penalising businesses is apparently not |
| artificial targets on removing failed asylum-seekers. | | | | favoured by the Immigration Advisory Service, which |
| People-trafficking and all its associated evils is one of | | | | said firms would become "reluctant to recruit |
| the fastest-growing and most vicious crimes, yet the | | | | anybody". |
| government's policy so far has been one of neglect." | | | | If you should have any questions or views |
| Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman, Nick | | | | concerning Work Permit, Visa Extensions, Leave to |
| Clegg, said: "a truly integrated border force" is | | | | Remain or need help finding staff please email Charles |
| needed rather than to "shift police officers away | | | | Kelly info@immigrationmatters.co.uk. |
| from their current duties. The government itself has | | | | For regular immigration updates see: |
| admitted it would cost £104m to secure every | | | | HOW 2 COME TO THE UK to Live Work Study or |
| port of entry into this country." Clegg goes on to | | | | Visit by Charles Kelly & Cynthia Barker2005 ISBN |
| ask: "Why then has John Reid failed to announce any | | | | 0-9546338-3-0. |
| new funding while tens of thousands of pounds a | | | | |