Following the approach of former U.S. President Donald Trump on immigration crackdowns, the UK government has initiated a nationwide "blitz" targeting Indian restaurants, nail bars, convenience stores, and car washes that hire illegal migrants.

A video by the UK Home Office showed illegal migrants being escorted off a bus and boarding a plane for deportation. It stated that nearly 19,000 people, including failed asylum seekers, foreign criminals and immigration offenders, have been removed from the UK since the Labour Party took office in July last year.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper highlighted that January was a record-breaking month for Immigration Enforcement teams, with officers conducting raids at 828 locations and making 609 arrests. These figures represent a 48% increase in raids and a 73% rise in arrests compared to last year.

During an immigration inspection at an Indian restaurant in Humberside, northern England, officials arrested seven individuals and detained four others, according to the Home Office.

While immigration authorities take action against illegal employment across various sectors, the Home Office noted that a significant portion of last month’s enforcement efforts focused on restaurants, takeaways, cafes and businesses in the food, drink and tobacco industries.

"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," Cooper stated.

"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," she further stated.

Between July 5 last year and January 31 this year, raids and arrests against illegal immigrants increased by about 38 % compared to the same period the previous year.

According to the home office, "These figures represent the highest rate of returns seen in the UK since 2018 and include the four biggest returns for charter flights in the UK's history, with a total of more than 850 people on board.”

In the same timeframe, authorities issued 1,090 civil penalty notices, with employers facing fines of up to £60,000 per worker if found guilty.

Eddy Montgomery, Director of Enforcement, Compliance and Crime at the Home Office, said he hoped the immigration crackdown would serve as a clear warning that no one could evade the law.

"These figures demonstrate the commitment of my teams to crack down on those who think they can flout our immigration system," Montgomery stated. "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 further said.

The UK government's immigration crackdown comes just before the ruling Labour Party plans to introduce the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill for its second reading in Parliament this week.

Under the proposed law, law enforcement would gain expanded powers to take decisive action against organised crime gangs, including the authority to seize mobile phones from individuals who enter the UK illegally before they are officially arrested.

The Opposition Conservative Party has criticised the bill, describing it as a "weak bill that won't stop the boats" and has urged for stricter restrictions on migrants' eligibility for permanent residency.

Chris Philp, Shadow Home Secretary, said, "Under the 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. "