Suspected '˜immigration offenders' found working at Heathfield restaurant

Immigration Enforcement officers visited Café Rasoi, on High Street, on September 22. Staff were questioned to establish whether they had the right to live and work in the UK.

Three Bangladeshi nationals aged between 31 and 41 who had overstayed their visit visas were arrested, said the Home Office.

A spokesperson said a 66-year-old Bangladeshi man with no permission to work was escorted from the premises and must report regularly to Immigration Enforcement whilst his case is progressed.

The Home Office said the arrested men have been detained pending removal from the UK.

The business was served a notice warning that financial penalties of up to £20,000 per illegal worker could be imposed if they cannot demonstrate that appropriate right to work document checks were carried out, such as seeing a passport or Home Office document confirming permission to work. If proof is not provided, this is a potential total of up to £80,000 – said immigration officials.

Assistant director Richard Lederle, head of the Kent and Sussex Immigration Enforcement team, said: “We are working hard to tackle illegal working and those who abuse the UK’s immigration system.

“Illegal working is not a victimless crime. It cheats the taxpayer, meaning less money is available for vital public services, undercuts honest employers and denies legitimate job seekers employment opportunities. It also exploits some of society’s most vulnerable people.

“We expect everyone here illegally to leave the UK voluntarily. For those who don’t the message is clear - we will find, detain and remove you.”

Information to help employers carry out checks to prevent illegal working can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/employers-illegal-working-penalties.

It includes a new quick answer right-to-work tool to help employers check if someone has the right to work in the UK.

People with information about suspected immigration abuse can contact https://www.gov.uk/report-immigration-crime or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.